The manager provided a motivational boost to the players ahead of the match against PSM Makassar. Although Persib Bandung is confirmed to be without the duo of Beckham Putra and Dimas Drajad, as well as direct sideline assistance from coach Bojan Hodak, he urged all players to remain confident.

According to the manager, the absence of several key figures should not diminish the players’ competitive spirit. He emphasized that all players in the squad have equal quality and deserve to be called core players.

“I told the players, even though Bojan Hodak is not present on the field, Beckham Putra is not there, Federico Barba is not there, you are not substitute players. You are all core players and chosen players,” said Umuh Muchtar.

The man affectionately known as Pak Haji Umuh also reminded Persib Bandung’s players to maintain a champion mentality. The success of defeating Persija Jakarta in the previous match proved that Maung Bandung can handle immense pressure.

Umuh Muchtar highlighted the situation Persib Bandung faced when playing against Persija Jakarta. At that time, the Persib Bandung squad reportedly experienced disruptions in the form of firework threats, causing the players to lack rest.

However, this condition did not shake the mentality of Persib Bandung’s players. Umuh Muchtar observed that the players still managed to stay focused and ultimately secured an important victory.

“If you have a champion mentality, don’t think about such disturbances. I told the players, if you lack sleep, rest in the morning. The important thing is to stay focused on the match,” he said.

Heading into the duel against PSM Makassar, Umuh Muchtar is optimistic that Persib Bandung can once again achieve maximum results. He also appreciated the warm welcome the team received during away matches in several regions.

Umuh Muchtar hopes the situation in Indonesian football will become increasingly conducive in the future so that all matches can run safely and comfortably for all parties. He also asked for prayers from fans so that Persib Bandung can maintain their championship hopes until the end of the season.

Persib Bandung

Persib Bandung is a professional football club based in Bandung, Indonesia, founded in 1933. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Indonesian football, with a passionate fanbase known as Bobotoh. The club has a rich history of winning domestic titles, including multiple Liga 1 championships, and is deeply rooted in the local culture and identity of West Java.

PSM Makassar

PSM Makassar is a professional football club based in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Founded in 1915 as a Dutch-era social club named “Makassar Voetbal Bond,” it is one of the oldest football clubs in Indonesia and has a rich history in the country’s top leagues. The team, known as “Juku Eja” (Red Fish), has won multiple domestic titles and remains a passionate symbol of Sulawesi’s football culture.

Persija Jakarta

Persija Jakarta is a professional football club based in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, founded on November 28, 1928, under the name Voetbalbond Indonesië Jakarta (VIJ). The club has a rich history tied to the Indonesian independence movement, and its name later changed to Persatuan Sepak Bola Indonesia Jakarta (Persija). Known for its passionate fanbase, “The Jak Mania,” Persija has won multiple Liga 1 titles and the Indonesian Cup, representing a proud sporting tradition in the capital.

Maung Bandung

Maung Bandung is a large, prehistoric volcanic caldera located in West Java, Indonesia, which now forms the scenic highland basin surrounding the city of Bandung. Its name means “Bandung Cat” in Sundanese, referring to the mountain’s cat-like silhouette, and it was formed by a massive eruption around 50,000 years ago. The caldera’s fertile soil and cool climate have historically supported agriculture and settlement, making it a key cultural and natural landmark for the Sundanese people.