PSM Vs Persija: Mauricio Souza Doesn't Want To Underestimate The Bad Trend Of Opponents

Mauricio Souza forbade Persija Jakarta to underestimate PSM Makassar (doc. Persija).

JAKARTA - Persija Jakarta coach, Mauricio Souza, did not want his team to be careless by pulling out the bad trend of their opponent, PSM Makassar, who had never won a single 2025/2026 Super League match when the two teams met at Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium, Parepare, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, WIB night.

"I always say, one game is a story, what happened has passed. We have to focus because we are fighting a good team even though the position (PSM) is bad. However, we know the strength of PSM Makassar."

"We have to focus and forget what happened. So, maybe we got three points, but to get it we have to fight hard," Souza said at a press conference on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

In contrast to PSM, which is now the caretaker of the standings, the Kemayoran Tigers started the 2025/2026 season very well and are now in second place in the standings.

Of the five matches that have been played, Persija was able to record three wins and two draws, which makes them currently have 11 points.

However, Souza did not want his troops to be careless and looked down on PSM with one eye. He asked Persija players to remain fully focused on being able to get three points and continue the trend without defeat.

"Our team can be balanced in this league. However, we can be above or below. If we want to be champions, we have to understand that there is no other way for us than to win the game."

"So, if we want to become champions, we have to stay good," said Souza.

If it was able to gain victory at PSM headquarters, it would be a good opening for Persija, who after this will play three consecutive away matches, namely against Borneo FC (28 September 2025), Persebaya Surabaya (18 October 2025), and Madura United (24 October 2025).