Football Season Guide

Vissel Kobe made it back-to-back J1 titles in 2024. They also lifted the Emperor Cup, so last season was even better than the 2023 campaign. Started slow but from August onward found the form that brought them the title. Finished the league campaign with 8 wins in the last 11 rounds. The attacking trio Muto-Miyashiro-Osaka all had double digit goals in the league (13-11-11) and they were the most prolific front three in the entire top flight. All 3 are staying put and once again should be causing havoc. Osaka will be 35-years-old though, so his minutes might start to dwindle. Defensively Vissel had issues last season. Kept only 13 clean sheets in 38 rounds. To address that added another Brazilian centre-back (Caetano) to the ranks. Hopes are he will form a solid partnership with his countryman Thuler. Also, the experienced left-back Yuta Koike joined the squad. This gives extra flexibility at the back and also much-needed depth. Vissel’s midfield line remains pretty much intact. Takahiro Ogihara is an excellent anchor-man, while Yosuke Ideguchi and Daiju Sasaki should continue being the main chance-creators. With no regulars departing the team in the off-season Vissel Kobe look set to be among the contenders once more.