Gamba Osaka 2023 Goalkeeper Special Shirt

GAMBA OSAKA - GOALKEEPER SPECIAL SHIRT 2023

Gamba Osaka were founded in 1980 and are based in Suita, on the northern edge of Osaka. Known fondly to supporters as the Nerazzurri (ネラッズーリ, the Blue and Blacks) for their colours, they play at the smart Panasonic Stadium Suita, a football-specific ground part-funded by supporter donations. Gamba are one of Japan's genuine heavyweights, crowned champions of Asia in 2008, so expectations around the club are rarely anything close to modest.

The 2023 season, though, was a proper scrap for survival. New Spanish head coach Dani Poyatos took charge for the first time and oversaw a real struggle, as Gamba finished 16th in the J1 League on 34 points and again had to sweat on the drop. With a leaky defence all year, this eye-catching, fluorescent goalkeeper shirt saw plenty of busy action between the posts.

The cup competitions brought decidedly mixed fortunes, with an early exit in the Emperor's Cup but a better run in the J.League Cup.

In front of those hard-working goalkeepers, Masaaki Higashiguchi and the young Kosei Tani among them, the goals came mainly from midfield, Brazilian pair Juan Alano and Dawhan leading the way and offering a welcome glimpse of brighter days to come for this proud old club.

Follow the club on X: @GAMBA_OFFICIAL