JAKARTA - Persib coach Bojan Hodak considers the duel against Persebaya as a meeting of two big teams with high intensity that will be fierce in the 24th week of the 2025/2026 BRI Super League match at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) Surabaya, Monday night.
"Tomorrow is a derby match, a meeting of the two biggest teams in Indonesian football. In a match like this, there is no term for a favorite team. Everyone wants to win and I am sure the match will be difficult and intense," said Bojan Hodak in a pre-match press conference at the GBT Surabaya Stadium, Sunday night.
He explained, Persib had suffered a crushing defeat of 1-4 at the GBT Surabaya Stadium, but this would not be a burden.
He said the result was triggered by last season's tactical experiment which will not be repeated in the match which will be held on Monday, 20:30 WIB.
"That happened last season. At that time I took the risk of playing a young goalkeeper because our position was safe. Tomorrow the situation is different. We focus on the present and strengthen the defense through the transfer market then," he said.
In addition, Hodak also paid special attention to the presence of Persebaya's new coach, Bernardo Tavares, who he considered successful in building a solid defense.
Not only that, he was aware of the trio of foreign legion Bajol Ijo, namely Bruno Moreira, Gali Freitas, and Rivera who were considered as creative attack engines and could change the direction of the match.
Although Persib was not strengthened by a number of pillars such as Julio Cesar de Freitas Filho, and Layvin Kurzawa due to injury, Hodak is still optimistic about the depth of his squad.
"Marc Klok, possibly not ready to fight, he just came back (from a long injury)," he said.
Meanwhile, Persib defender Federico Barbo assessed that the match against Persebaya would be difficult, because the quality of the players was also good.
"We know they have quality. They are strong, have squad depth, and are compact. Their front line is very tough with high-quality players," he said.
Nevertheless, he expressed his readiness to steal three points at a good stadium and also in front of the home supporters.
Furthermore, he added, there were no significant obstacles related to adjusting the match schedule in the month of Ramadan.
"We have adapted by changing the training time. For us in Europe, changing the schedule is common because of television demands. We are here to get three extra points," he said.
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