For The Sake Of Comeback For Persib, Madura United Expects Hugo Gomes' Presence In The Second Leg

Hugo Gomes is expected to recover in the second leg of the 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series final (Instagram/@hugo_goomes).

JAKARTA - Madura United interim coach, Rakhmat Basuki, hopes to include Hugo Gomes or who is familiarly called Jaja in the second leg of the 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series final.

In the first leg of the 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series final at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Sunday, May 26, 2024, Hugo Gomes left the field in the 67th minute due to a muscle injury.

Madura United's game changed after that after losing their flagship player. Jaja's exit from the formation made Laskar Sapeh's midfield lack of effectiveness and creativity. As a result, they had to swallow the bitter pill 0-3 defeat.

According to Rakhmat Basuki, Jaja did become the spirit of the team's game.

"I changed (Hugo Gomes) because he saw that he was injured. He could not be forced, afraid he would not be able to play in the second leg," said Rakhmat Basuki in his statement quoted on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

"Jaja is indeed the spirit of the team, but whoever the replacement is should be able to fill that position well," said the caretaker.

After the match, Rakhmat explained that Jaja's condition continued to be monitored by team doctors. He then hopes that the player's injury will not be severe and can recover in the next three or four days.

This hope was expressed because Rakhmat did not deny that the team needed the services of the player. Moreover, in the second leg Madura United will host Maung Bandung at the Bangkalan Stadium on Friday, May 31, 2024.

"It has been handled and therapy is being carried out, recovery as well. Maybe we will see the progress. When we return to Madura we will see again and I hope he is better off (playing at home)," he said.

"Not only Jaja, but we will also monitor the condition of all the players because we need all of their energy," said Rakhmat Basuki.

Madura United need to appear with a full and fit squad in the second leg of the 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series final. You see, they are already behind on the 0-3 aggregate.

They need full ammunition to make a comeback if they want to win the 2023/2024 League 1 Championship Series.