J1 League Round 1: Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s New Home Joy, Nagoya Grampus’s Trust in Youth

The J1 League kicks off its new season on February 23rd, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima inaugurating their new home, the "Peace Wing," against reigning AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds. Meanwhile, Nagoya Grampus have made significant changes to their defense and have entrusted a young player with a crucial leadership role.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Urawa Red Diamonds - Defensive Teams on the Offensive

Last season's third and fourth-placed teams will open the J1 League this year. Sanfrecce Hiroshima has moved to the Peace Wing Stadium, a new venue that opened in early February, raising the spirits of both players and fans. German coach Michael Skibbe is now in his third year with Hiroshima, and supporters are eager to see a more tactically mature team. Last season, Sanfrecce finished third, six points behind Yokohama F. Marinos, missing out on AFC Champions League qualification mainly due to their lackluster attack. They scored around 20 goals fewer than the top two teams. Skibbe’s main task this season is to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities. To this end, they signed Shonan Bellmare’s Yuji Ohashi, who ranked seventh in the goal-scoring charts last season, on a free transfer. Sanfrecce's other player movements have also been cost-free, resulting in a balanced transfer window.

Despite winning last season's AFC Champions League, Urawa Red Diamonds failed to progress past the group stage this year and also missed out on qualifying for the next season. Consequently, their successful coach Ricardo Rodríguez departed, making way for Norwegian coach Kjetil Knutsen, who previously led Swedish side Häcken to the 2022 Allsvenskan title. Known for his aggressive attacking football, Knutsen has inherited the league’s best defense from last season. If he can bolster their attacking play, Urawa could become one of the top contenders for the J1 League title. This season, Urawa has made significant changes to their foreign player roster, including bringing in Knutsen’s former Häcken midfielder Gustav Berggren and Norwegian winger Ola Solbakken from AS Roma. Whether these additions will enhance Urawa's attack remains to be seen.

Last season, these two teams had the first and second least goals conceded in the league. However, the focus of this match will be on their new offensive signings. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, with a better team cohesion, are expected to win 1-0 against Urawa Red Diamonds.

Nagoya Grampus vs. Kashima Antlers - Potential Shift in Playing Styles

Nagoya Grampus have undergone significant squad changes this season. They lost four key defensive players from last season but signed Patric and Yuya Yamagishi, both of whom scored double-digit goals last season. Additionally, they acquired Kasper Junker from Urawa Red Diamonds, last season’s top scorer for Nagoya. With three players who each scored over ten goals last season, Nagoya’s attack looks formidable, but their defense appears inexperienced. Among the new defenders, the most notable is Shion Inoue, a product of Nagoya’s youth academy. He joined from Ventforet Kofu in J2 last season and quickly became a regular starter. This season, he has been named vice-captain despite being a professional for only a year, indicating the club's high regard for him.

Kashima Antlers have also seen changes, with former Tokyo FC coach Kenta Hasegawa taking the helm. They signed striker Erik Sabo from Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava, who scored 15 league goals last season, helping his team secure a fifth consecutive title. Sabo's overall tally of 24 goals in all competitions was a personal record. Since Ayase Ueda left, Kashima has lacked a consistent partner for Yuma Suzuki. Sabo is expected to fill that void effectively. Last season, the two teams met four times in the league and league cup, with each winning once and the matches generally being low-scoring. However, with both teams’ offensive capabilities significantly improved, and Nagoya’s defense still finding its footing, Kashima is likely to win 3-2 away.

Tactical Insights and Key Players

For Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the challenge lies in balancing a solid defense with a more potent attack. Skibbe’s tactical maturity is crucial, as is the integration of new signing Yuji Ohashi into the team’s offensive structure. The defensive pairing of Sho Sasaki and Hayato Araki will need to maintain their form from last season to support this transition. Midfield creativity from Gakuto Notsuda will also be vital in breaking down Urawa’s defense.

Urawa Red Diamonds face the task of maintaining their defensive strength while improving their offensive output. Knutsen’s attacking philosophy will be tested, and much will depend on how quickly new signings Gustav Berggren and Ola Solbakken adapt to J1 League football. The defensive partnership of Alexander Scholz and Hiroki Sakai will be crucial in maintaining stability at the back.

Nagoya Grampus’s transformation from a defensively solid to an offensively dynamic team will hinge on their ability to integrate new signings. Patric and Yuya Yamagishi need to form a cohesive attacking unit with Kasper Junker, while Shion Inoue’s leadership in defense will be tested early in the season. The midfield’s role in linking defense and attack, particularly through Sho Inagaki, will be essential.

Kashima Antlers will look to establish Erik Sabo as a consistent goal-scoring partner for Yuma Suzuki. The tactical shift under Hasegawa’s management will likely focus on more direct and efficient attacking play. Defensive stability will be important, with Ikuma Sekigawa and Tomoya Inukai expected to anchor the backline.

Broader Implications

The outcomes of these matches will set the tone for the J1 League season. Sanfrecce Hiroshima aim to start strong in their new home, reinforcing their title ambitions. A victory against Urawa would boost their confidence and morale. For Urawa, adapting to a new coach and integrating new players quickly will be crucial for their title challenge.

Nagoya Grampus’s season hinges on balancing their new attacking prowess with defensive solidity. Success in this transition could see them challenging for higher positions in the league. Kashima Antlers, under new management, will aim to return to the top of Japanese football, and an early away victory would be a significant statement of intent.

As the J1 League season unfolds, the dynamics of team strategies, player performances, and managerial decisions will play pivotal roles in shaping the league standings. The competitive nature of the league ensures that each match offers a valuable opportunity to gain an early advantage, making the first round a crucial starting point for the 2024 season.