The Battle for Confidence and Redemption at MBPJ
PETALING JAYA, Selangor - The pre-match press conference for the ACL Two Matchday 4 fixture between Selangor FC and Persib Bandung at the MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025), provided a narrative of Selangor's determination for redemption and Persib's confidence, tempered with respect for their rival.
Christophe Gamel: The Call for Redemption
Gamel's comments, following the 0-2 defeat in the previous leg in Bandung, were focused on leveraging the home advantage and the team's mental strength to secure a necessary victory.
Seeking Redemption at Home: The main theme was the need to rebound from the previous defeat and use the familiarity of the MBPJ Stadium to finally get points in the competition.
Focus on the Mental Game: Gamel would have stressed that despite the previous loss, the team's position at the bottom of the group should be used as an opportunity to "start again and keep going," highlighting the need for his players to show their true character under pressure.
Emphasizing Quality and Potential: He likely reiterated his belief that his team creates chances (noting that in the previous game, shots hit the post or were blocked) and has the quality to score, but must work harder on the execution to break down Persib's defense.
Praise for Key Players: He would have acknowledged the improving form of his players, such as winger Faisal Halim, stating that he is "getting back to his best" and that the team is "improving and playing the way I want them to."
Bojan Hodak: Cautious Confidence
Hodak's message was one of cautious confidence, urging his team not to become complacent despite their strong position in the group.
Ignoring Past Victories: Hodak emphasized the need to "forget the win against Bali United" (in the domestic league) and the previous win against Selangor to fully focus on the task at hand. He noted that "every victory makes the team better... and increases confidence," but demanded complete concentration on Selangor.
Acknowledging the Rivalry and Threat: The Croatian coach, familiar with Malaysian football, stressed that the match would be "a tough match" because "the rivalry between Indonesia and Malaysia is always there." He acknowledged Selangor as "one of the best clubs from Malaysia" who have "improving under the new coach" and possess "good attacking players who can score goals."
Focus on Progression: The objective was clear: secure another positive result to strengthen their bid for the knockout stage and manage the short recovery time between domestic and continental fixtures.
The press conference set the stage for a highly-charged rematch, with Selangor determined to win on their home turf and Persib aiming to continue their successful campaign and secure early qualification.