JL - Football - Japan - J-League

Second round of the 2022 J League between Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka at Saitama Stadium 2002. Both teams failed to win in either J League or J-League Cup, therefore both are looking for this first victory of the season.

Urawa Red Diamonds lost in the J1 League opener against the promoted Kyoto Sanga by the minimum margin, unable to score. Next in the J-League Cup debut against Vissel Kobe came from behind to take the lead yet concede a goal in the final minutes and settle for a draw. The opener result seed doubts, yet the cup encounter ease some off them with the comeback, but the expulsion of Takahiro Akimoto provide Vissel with the advantage to draw.

Two consecutive defeats, in J League and J-League Cup, was not the desire start for Gamba Osaka. It could be argued that the stronger potential of the rivals Kashima Antlers and Cerezo Osaka could be the reason. The culprit is their defending, that has allowed three goals from each of them. Both times the defense has squander the effort of the attack to equalize, against Cerezo Osaka a goal in the final minutes, and against Kashima Antlers the expulsion of Brazilian Petric put them in disadvantage.

A game characterized by goals, in the previous five games between them at this venue, there has been an average of 3. 8 goals per match, with both teams scoring in each game. Gamba Osaka has been able to get points in every single one of them, four victories and one tie.

A tense encounter here. The regular start of Urawa Red Diamonds is the favorite against a Gamba Osaka disastrous start with two defeats despite the particular precedent between them. If something has shown Gamba Osaka is a solid attack scoring in both games they have played, the obvious problem is their defense who will have a hard task here. Considering the precedent it will be an exchange of goals between this two sides, and at least a goal scored by each one.

26/02/2022 04:37, read 677 times