Bernardo Tavares Says Match Was Not Easy Despite Persebaya's Crushing 4-0 Win Over Arema

Persebaya Surabaya secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Arema FC in week 30 of the Super League 2025/2026. However, behind that convincing scoreline, coach Bernardo Tavares emphasized that his team had difficulty breaking down the Singo Edan's defense.

The match, dubbed the East Java Derby, took place without spectators and was officiated by referee Thoriq Munir Alkatiri at Stadion Kapten I Wayan Dipta, Gianyar, bali, on Tuesday.

From the opening minutes, Persebaya dominated by pressing Arema's defense. However, the solid performance of Goalkeeper Lucas Frigeri frustrated Bajul Ijo throughout the first half.

The 0-0 scoreline held until halftime. The Hot Weather in Bali was cited by Tavares as one of the factors affecting the rhythm of both teams' play.

According to the coach from Portugal, a tactical change in the second half was key to Persebaya's resurgence.

"It wasn't easy to breach Arema's goal, but this shows our team is good and works hard," Bernardo said after the match.

Persebaya finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. Fransisco Rivera scored after receiving a perfect pass from Perovic.

Rivera's goal opened the door for the visiting team to become increasingly aggressive in pressing Arema's back line.

The next opportunity came through a penalty after the referee checked the VAR replay and ruled there was a foul by an Arema player.

Bruno Moreira, who stepped up as the executor, failed to beat Andhika Ramadhani, but the rebound was struck home by Jefferson Silva. Persebaya led 2-0 in the 76th minute.

Arema, who began to lose their shape, conceded again six minutes later. Rivera scored his second goal in the 82nd minute before Mikael Tata capped off Persebaya's goal fest in the 86th minute.

On the other side, Arema FC coach Marcos Vinicius Santos Goncalves could not hide his disappointment after his team suffered a heavy defeat.

"I apologize to Arema. I am so ashamed. From the first half, they (Persebaya) could read our game," he said.

The additional three points propelled Persebaya up to fourth place in the provisional Standings with 48 points. Meanwhile, Arema is stuck in 11th place with 39 points, further extending the pressure heading into the season's end.