“Passion” became the team’s keyword throughout last year’s battles.
This was expressed as an obsession with winning and generated enthusiasm in the stadium.
This season, WE ARE GAMBA OSAKA will focus on the spirit that each player has behind their “passion.” What kind of power will their soul, enthusiasm, courage, and determination give to the team this season?
JUAN ALANO always says, “It’s for the team.” This was the case when he returned from injury and took to the pitch for the first time this season in the 4th Sec. of the J1 League against Tokyo Verdy, assisting the winning goal. After the match, the words he heard in the mixed zone were, “I’m happy to be able to work on the pitch for the team.”
“I’m glad I was able to show the supporters and everyone who supports me that I can help the team by making an assist. But more than that, I was really happy to be able to work for the team on the pitch, especially since I had been unable to help the team since the start of the season. As long as I’m wearing the Gamba uniform, I want to work for Gamba in whatever way possible. That’s what I always think.”
This is all thanks to his strong desire for a “title” and “victory,” which is also connected to his spirit.
“Ever since I was a child, I always had the desire to win, but that was more or less just a result of my competitive nature. However, since I became a professional, I’ve been battling various pressures and thinking more about what I need to do to help my team win by working backwards from that desire to win, and at the same time, I’ve started to seek my own personal growth even more. As I mentioned earlier, “fighting for the team” is something I should never forget in order to win.”
Additionally, as I have continued to serve as vice captain since last year, I feel that I must demonstrate that responsibility through my actions every day.
“When I was playing for Coritiba FC in Brazil, I played the most minutes on the team, so I always stepped onto the pitch with the awareness that I had to take on a leadership role, and I think that kind of role suits my personality. So I’m also very happy to be able to take on that responsibility in Japan. However, since I’m not playing in my home country, there is inevitably a language barrier. That’s why I always feel that I have to run and fight with all my might for the team, and even off the pitch, I always expect myself to behave and act with the team in mind.”
Especially in recent years, with players of various nationalities on the team, they are consciously making an effort to ensure that they do not feel isolated.
“It’s natural for players to feel nervous and anxious when they move to a new club, as is the case with Dennis (Humet), who recently joined us. I try to communicate as much as possible to ease those feelings as much as possible. I’ve also spent a lot of time working with Dani (Head Coach ), so I understand to some extent what kind of play he wants, and so I try to convey Dani’s intentions to them as much as possible, even in casual conversations.”
In fact, Masaki KIMURA , who has always served as Alano’s interpreter for the four seasons since he joined Gamba, said about Alano, “I often feel that his heart is always with the team.” He said that not only when the team was doing well, but also when the team’s situation was not good, like the year before last, it was Alano who volunteered to act as a bridge between the Japanese and foreign players and facilitate communication. In this way, the feeling of “for the team,” which is derived from his spirit, is also a factor in raising the team’s enthusiasm.
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Text by Takamura Misa
AloJapan.com