AFC Champions League Two - Gamba will play with no fear, says Nakatani

Riyadh: Shinnosuke Nakatani has insisted Gamba Osaka have nothing to fear when they face Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club in the final of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ on Saturday.

The Japanese side will not only have to contend with a star-studded Al Nassr but also their partisan fans at the King Saud University Stadium but centre-back Nakatani said Gamba’s focus will only be on producing their best.

“We are happy to be in the final against a good team in a good stadium and we are really looking forward to the game. It wasn’t easy to get here and it has been a long journey. We have worked very hard and we are focused on finishing the job,” said the 30-year-old Nakatani.

“It will be a tough challenge as they have very good quality players but there is nothing for us to be worried about. The weather is very dry but we just need to concentrate on the things we have to do.”

Gamba will head into the tie having been in indifferent form domestically but Nakatani said that will not be a factor against Al Nassr.

“We are not worried about our league form, this is a final and we are going to play how we play best - attacking football. That is our way and there is no reason to change.

“We are very excited about playing against (Cristiano) Ronaldo and the other Al Nassr players but the important thing is we must concentrate on ourselves and our way of playing football.”

Gamba will play with no fear, says Nakatani

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