2025 Season Preview: Cerezo Osaka | OneFootball

A New Dawn in Osaka

After a tenth-place finish in 2024, Cerezo Osaka enters a period of transition. The departure of long-serving manager Akio Kogiku, who spent 27 years at the club, paves the way for Australian tactician Arthur Papas to implement his attacking philosophy.

Last season saw Cerezo exceed expectations, powered by Léo Ceará's impressive 21-goal haul. The midfield quartet of Tanaka, Okuno, Fernandes, and Capixaba provided both creative spark and defensive stability, while Kim Jin-Hyeon's reliability between the posts proved crucial in tight encounters.

However, the campaign wasn't without its struggles. Injuries disrupted squad cohesion, particularly affecting Hirano and Funaki, while defensive vulnerabilities and an over-reliance on key players like Ceará and Fernandes exposed limitations. The team's inconsistency was evident in their mixed results against top opposition, including a 3-0 defeat to FC Tokyo and a 2-0 loss to Kashima Antlers.

Looking ahead to 2025, newly-appointed captain Shunta Tanaka will lead a refreshed leadership group featuring veterans Shinji Kagawa, Kim Jin-Hyeon, Makino Hatate, and Sota Kitano. Papas arrives with a track record of success at Buriram United, and his attacking mindset could be the catalyst needed to build on last season's achievements.

The integration of youth talent remains a bright spot, with Okuno, Sakata, Kagawa, and Yamada all showing promise. Their continued development, combined with the established core of players, suggests Cerezo has the foundations to remain competitive in the upper echelons of the J1 League.

Transfer Market Reshapes Squad

The winter transfer window has brought significant changes to Cerezo Osaka, with the most notable departure being last season's 21-goal striker Léo Ceará to Kashima Antlers. The club has responded with an ambitious recruitment drive, bringing in Brazilian forward Rafael Ratão on loan from EC Bahia and securing Thiago Andrade from Toronto FC for €0.5M to bolster their attacking options.

Defensive reinforcements have arrived in the form of Shintaro Hatanaka from Yokohama F. Marinos and Takumi Nakamura from Yokohama FC, addressing the backline concerns that surfaced last season. The midfield has seen a shake-up with Capixaba's move to Shimizu S-Pulse, while Thai midfielder Jaroensak Vongkorn joins on loan from BG Pathum United to add creative flair.

Arthur Papas is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with veteran goalkeeper Kim Jin-Hyeon protected by a new-look defense featuring Hatanaka and Nakamura. The midfield pivot of Hinata Kida and Vitor Bueno provides a platform for Shinji Kagawa to orchestrate attacks, while new arrivals Thiago Andrade and Ratão will be tasked with filling the goalscoring void left by Ceará's departure.

The squad now presents an intriguing blend of experience and fresh talent. Kim Jin-Hyeon's presence between the posts remains crucial, while Kagawa's creative influence will be vital in unlocking defenses. The additions of Hatanaka and Nakamura should provide the defensive stability that was occasionally lacking last term, and the new attacking duo brings pace and dynamism to the forward line.

This reshaped squad appears better equipped to maintain last season's high standards, though the loss of Ceará's goals presents a significant challenge to overcome.

Season Ahead

The opening fixtures present an immediate test of Arthur Papas's tactical acumen, with the Osaka Derby against Gamba setting the tone on February 14. A home clash with Shonan Bellmare follows before a tricky away trip to Kashiwa Reysol, where Cerezo struggled to break down defenses last term.

The schedule's standout fixtures include the return Derby in July, crucial home matches against title contenders Urawa Reds (March 28) and Yokohama F. Marinos (May 11), before a potentially decisive October clash with Nagoya Grampus. The season concludes at home to Yokohama FC on December 6, in what could be a pivotal fixture for continental qualification.

However, questions linger over the squad's depth and goalscoring capabilities. The departure of Léo Ceará's 21-goal contribution leaves big shoes to fill, while the new-look defense will need time to gel. The midfield, though creative, lacks depth beyond the starting duo of Kagawa and Bueno, and there's perhaps an over-reliance on aging veterans in key positions.

Cerezo Osaka enters 2025 as a team in transition. Papas's attacking philosophy could unlock new potential, but success will hinge on how quickly the new signings adapt and whether Ratão and Andrade can provide the goals. The squad has quality but lacks depth in crucial areas, suggesting they might struggle to maintain last season's lofty standards.

Prediction: 13th place - The loss of Ceará's goals and defensive uncertainty will see them slip slightly.