Bojan Hodak sebut Persib lambat panas saat gilas Semen Padang, ini penyebabnya

PADANG – Persib Bandung secured a crucial away victory against Semen Padang at Haji Agus Salim Stadium on Friday evening, April 5th, in a thrilling Super League 2025-2026 Matchday 26 encounter. The highly anticipated clash saw the “Blue Princes” clinch a decisive 2-0 win, further solidifying their impressive season performance.

The two pivotal goals that sealed Persib Bandung‘s triumph were both delivered by their prolific striker, Ramon Tanque. He found the back of the net in the 32nd minute, providing a crucial lead, and again in the 70th minute, doubling the advantage and effectively putting the game beyond Semen Padang‘s reach.

Following the match, Persib Bandung coach Bojan Hodak acknowledged the initial challenges his squad faced. He admitted that the “Blue Princes” struggled to cope with the early pressure exerted by the home team. The scorching Padang heat and high humidity also proved to be significant obstacles, forcing key players like Marc Klok and his teammates to expend extra effort just to adapt during the opening 30 minutes of play.

Reflecting on the contest, the Croatian tactician stated, “It was a difficult match. They [the opponents] started the game much better in the first 20-30 minutes. Only after that did we slowly manage to take control.” This initial period of struggle highlighted the resilience and tactical adjustments made by Persib Bandung as the game progressed, eventually allowing them to dictate the pace.

Hodak pinpointed the first goal as the crucial turning point, which allowed Persib to settle into their rhythm and play with greater composure. Once in the lead, the former PSM Makassar coach observed a shift in Semen Padang‘s strategy; they began to play more openly in an attempt to equalize. This change in approach was expertly exploited by Persib through well-executed counter-attacks, creating numerous scoring opportunities.

“In the second half, we largely controlled the game,” Bojan Hodak further elaborated. “I didn’t see many chances for them. We managed to score one more goal and had several other opportunities to extend our lead even further.” This dominant second-half display underscored Persib Bandung‘s ability to maintain pressure and capitalize on their opponent’s vulnerabilities.

Despite his satisfaction with the final scoreline, Bojan Hodak was quick to point out areas that still require improvement. He highlighted a recurring trend of the team being slow to find their optimal performance level immediately after a league break, a pattern he intends to address proactively in training sessions.

“There’s something that prevents us from reaching our maximum level in the first game after a break,” Hodak remarked. “Therefore, I expect the team to show significant improvement in our upcoming matches.” This forward-looking perspective emphasizes his commitment to continuous development and maintaining high standards throughout the season.

This vital victory further cements Persib Bandung‘s commanding position at the summit of the Super League 2025-2026 table. They now boast an impressive 61 points, accumulated from 19 wins, four draws, and just three defeats. In stark contrast, this negative result proved detrimental for Semen Padang, a squad featuring many new players, as they failed to climb out of the precarious relegation zone.

The “Kabau Sirah” (Semen Padang’s nickname) remain anchored in 17th place with a mere 20 points, having recorded five wins, five draws, and a disappointing 16 losses. Their struggle for survival in the league continues, underscoring the tough challenge ahead for the team from Padang.