Gamba eye derby success

Gamba Osaka captain Tomokazu Myojin admits his team are lacking confidence ahead of their J.League derby against Cerezo Osaka.

Four days after being thrashed by K-League side Pohang Steelers in their first match of the Asian Champions League group stage, Gamba fell to a 3-2 loss to Vissel Kobe in their league opener.

The results have put the pressure on new boss Jose Carlos Serrao, who replaced long-time coach Akira Nishino in the off-season.

Myojin admitted the upcoming games would be ‘incredibly important’, beginning with Saturday’s derby.

“I think mentally, all of us lack confidence right now,” Myojin told Nikkan after training.

“The next two matches are incredibly important. We absolutely need good results.”

Serrao has been under pressure to balance Gamba’s tactics after the team had earned a reputation as one of J-League’s tightest defences.

Meanwhile, Gamba playmaker Yasuhito Endo said he wanted his team-mates to remain upbeat ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

“We began the season with (two) losses, but all we can do now is play with confidence,” he said.

“The goals we gave up against Vissel were all from set pieces, so (we’ll be fine) if we can concentrate a bit harder.”