The 2015 Gamba Osaka season was Gamba Osaka's 22nd season in the J.League Division 1 and 28th overall in the Japanese top flight. It also includes the 2015 J.League Cup, 2015 Emperor's Cup, 2015 AFC Champions League, 2015 Japanese Super Cup and the 2015 Suruga Bank Championship.
Gamba started their domestic season on 28 February 2015 with a 2âÂÂ0 victory over the 2014 J.League runners-up, the Urawa Red Diamonds in Yokohama. Both Gamba's goals came in the second half and were scored by Takashi Usami and Patric.
Starting from the 2015 season, it was announced that the J.League would again change back to a two-stage "mini-league" (last held in 2004). The winners of each stage and top three clubs of the aggregate table subsequently qualify for the Championship.
The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the 2015 J.League 1 First Stage:
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The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the 2015 J.League 1 Second stage:
<small> = Substitute on, = Substitute Off, = Number of goals scored, = Yellow Card and = Red Card.</small>
Gamba's 3rd-place finish in the overall standings for J.League 1 in 2015 saw them paired against the Urawa Red Diamonds at the semi-final stage. Due to Urawa's higher placing, the match was played at Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa's home ground. A 3âÂÂ1 win after extra-time set up a two-legged final against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the J.League 1 Championship Stage:
<small> = Substitute on, = Substitute Off, = Number of goals scored, = Yellow Card and = Red Card.</small>
As 2014 J.League Division 1 champions, Gamba qualified for the 2015 AFC Champions League. This was their 7th appearance in the competition and their first since 2012. They were drawn into Group F along with Buriram United of Thailand, Guangzhou R&F of China and Seongnam of South Korea. Gamba finished top of the group and along with Seongnam qualified for the Round of 16. As Group F winners they were paired against the runner-up of Group H who were FC Seoul. Gamba defeated Seoul 6âÂÂ3 on aggregate and were paired with yet another Korean side, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the quarter-finals. Following a scoreless draw in the first leg in Korea, Gamba sealed a dramatic 3âÂÂ2 victory at home, with defender Koki Yonekura netting the winner in the 93rd minute to ensure their progression to the semi-finals where they were paired with Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande. A 2âÂÂ1 defeat in China followed by 0âÂÂ0 draw at home saw Gamba fall at the semi-final stage.
The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the 2015 AFC Champions League:
<small> = Substitute on, = Substitute Off, = Number of goals scored, = Yellow Card and = Red Card.</small>
The Suruga Bank Championship sees the winners of the previous season's J.League Cup and Copa Sudamerica face off in a one-off match. This saw Gamba take on Argentine giants River Plate. A 3âÂÂ0 defeat at Osaka Expo '70 Stadium saw Gamba finish as runners-up.
As a result of their qualification for the AFC Champions League, Gamba were given a bye into the quarter-finals of the League Cup, where they were paired against Nagoya Grampus in a two-legged encounter. After a dramatic 10âÂÂ9 penalty shoot-out victory over Nagoya, in which goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya struck the winning penalty, Gamba were drawn against Albirex Niigata in the semi-finals. A 3âÂÂ2 aggregate win over Niigata set up a final against Kashima Antlers which they lost 3âÂÂ0.
The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the 2015 J.League Cup:
<small> = Substitute on, = Substitute Off, = Number of goals scored, = Yellow Card and = Red Card.</small>
Due to their success in reaching the AFC Champions League semi-final, Gamba were given a bye to the 4th round of the Emperor's Cup where they were drawn away to fellow J-League 1 side Kawasaki Frontale. A 2âÂÂ0 victory saw them progress to the quarter-finals where they were paired with another J-League 1 outfit, this time Sagan Tosu. A 3âÂÂ1 win ensured they qualified for the semi-finals where they were again successful, this time beating 2015 J-League 1 Champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3âÂÂ0 in a match played at Nagai Stadium. The final was played at Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo on 1 January 2016 and saw Gamba triumph 2âÂÂ1 against the Urawa Red Diamonds to retain the trophy.
The following players appeared for Gamba Osaka during the 2015 Emperor's Cup:
<small> = Substitute on, = Substitute Off, = Number of goals scored, = Yellow Card and = Red Card.</small>
Statistics accurate as of match played 1 January 2016.
<small><sup>1</sup> Includes 2015 J1 League Championship, 2015 Japanese Super Cup and 2015 Suruga Bank Championship appearances.</small>