Vissel Kobe head coach Michael Skibbe has landed in Johor with a clear message: the J.League giants are taking Johor Darul Ta’zim seriously, even if their team sheet says otherwise.
Despite arriving after a grueling 13-hour journey from Osaka, Skibbe appeared relaxed in the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 League Stage (East Zone) clash at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium (SSI). However, he dropped a tactical bombshell—Kobe has left their primary starting XI back in Japan.
With Vissel Kobe already having secured their ticket to the Round of 16, Skibbe has opted to prioritize the J-League title race. The core group that played three matches in seven days has been granted a rest.
“The starting 11 from the last three matches mostly is getting a rest in Japan… but on the other hand, same like JDT, we have a number of players which are really good. More than 25, 28 players.” — Michael Skibbe
Skibbe was quick to dismiss any notion that this makes Kobe an easy target. He expressed absolute “trust” in his traveling squad, emphasizing that every player is ready to fight for a spot.
Skibbe was full of praise for the JDT project, acknowledging the “European and South American” flair that has transformed the Malaysian champions into a continental threat. He noted that the Southern Tigers operate at an international standard that requires Kobe to be at their absolute best.
While the 13-hour travel was long, Skibbe noted that the Johor weather—characterized by high humidity—actually suits his team, as it mimics the peak of the Japanese summer.
“It is nice temperature, warm… we like it very much to have Champions League matches. For all players, it is such a nice experience to have matches on this level,” Skibbe added.
Credit Photo : Vissel Kobe
