Gwangju FC: Playing a high-pressing, counterattacking style, Gwangju excels at home under Lee Jung-hyo. With Kyoung-Rok Choi in midfield and Beka Mikeltadze up top, Asani's flair and finishing will be crucial. Their backline, which is already vulnerable after only keeping two clean sheets in nine games, may be exposed if they press forward forcefully. They have a 75% victory rate in ACL group-stage home games since moving to the bigger Gwangju World Cup Stadium this season from their previous, smaller venue.

Vissel Kobe: Takayuki Yoshida's Kobe team prefers a possession-based strategy (average of 55.1% in the ACL), relying on midfielders Takahiro Ogihara and Hotaru Yamaguchi to set the pace. Taisei Miyashiro and Osako, a seasoned big-game player, will try to take advantage of Gwangju's high line during the break. Tetsushi Yamakawa and Thuler have been steadfast on defence, but Kobe's away troubles raise the possibility that they would stay deep and defend their lead, which would invite pressure.

Gwangju have won 3 of 4 ACL home games this season, scoring 10 goals (2.5 per game).Kobe have lost 2 of 3 ACL away matches, conceding 6 goals (2 per game). Gwangju have covered +0.5 AH (avoided defeat) in 4 of their last 5 home matches across all comps. Kobe have failed to win in 5 of their last 7 away games across all comps.

Kobe's inconsistent away record and Gwangju's strong home record will determine whether they win or lose. In the ACL, they have been a different animal at home, scoring 2.5 goals on average and displaying tenacity (such as in a 7-1 thumping of Yokohama F. Marinos in October 2024). They must attack due to the 2-0 deficit, and Gwangju has a realistic chance to score because of Kobe's propensity to give up goals away from home (6 goals in 3 ACL away games). If Asani manages to get past Kobe's defence, his play—he has scored in five of his last seven ACL starts—might make the difference.

They can, however, play cautiously because of Kobe's 2-0 lead. Even with a 1-0 loss, they would still progress 2-1 overall with a draw, and their strong defence in the first leg (limited Gwangju to 0.3 xG) implies they can frustrate the hosts. If Gwangju overcommits, Kobe's counterattacking threat, spearheaded by Osako, could punish them. Nevertheless, a home victory or draw seems likely given Gwangju's desperation and Kobe's winless streak in five of seven away games.

The home crowd and must-win scenario tilt the scales slightly in their favor.

▽光州FC =在李正孝的带领下，以高压迫、反击为主的光州在主场表现出色。中场有崔景录，中场有米克尔塔泽，阿萨尼的天赋和射门将至关重要。他们的后防线在9场比赛中只保持了2场零封，如果他们强力向前推进，可能会暴露出脆弱的后防线。自从本赛季从原来的小场地搬到更大的光州世界杯体育场后，他们在ACL小组赛主场比赛中的胜率达到了75%。

神户：吉田孝之的神户队更喜欢以控球为基础的战术（平均控球率为55.1%），依靠中场小原孝弘和山口浩浩来控制节奏。在中场休息期间，大成宫太郎和经验丰富的大牌球员大佐子将试图利用光州队的高线。山川哲sushi Yamakawa和Thuler在防守上一直很坚定，但是科比在客场遇到的麻烦增加了他们留在后防线并捍卫领先优势的可能性，这将带来压力。

光州在本赛季4场主场比赛中取得3胜，攻入10球（场均2.5球）。科比在ACL的3场客场比赛中输掉了2场，丢了6球（场均2球）。光州在过去的5场主场比赛中，有4场比赛的得分为+0.5 AH（避免失败）。在过去的7场客场比赛中，科比有5场没有获胜。

科比不稳定的客场战绩和光州强劲的主场战绩将决定他们的输赢。在ACL中，他们在主场表现得完全不同，平均每场打进2.5球，表现出顽强（比如2024年10月7-1大胜横滨马里诺斯队）。在0比2落后的情况下，他们必须进攻，而且由于科比在客场丢球的倾向（3场ACL客场6球），光州队有现实的进球机会。如果阿萨尼能够突破科比的防守，他的表现——他最近7次在ACL首发中有5次进球——可能会带来改变。

然而，由于科比2-0领先，他们可以谨慎行事。即使0 -1输球，他们也能以1- 2的成绩取得平局，而且他们在首回合的强大防守（将光州限制在0.3分）意味着他们可以挫败东道主。如果光州过度投入，科比在大阪子的带领下的反击威胁可能会惩罚他们。尽管如此，考虑到光州队的绝望和科比在7场客场比赛中5场未胜，主场取胜或平局的可能性似乎很大。

主场球迷和必胜的情况让天平略微偏向了他们。