Julio Cesar Asks the Persib Squad to Maintain Full Focus Ahead of the Decisive Match Against Persijap

Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 13:00

Author: Rojes Saragih

Duel Udara Sengit: Pemain bertahan Persib Bandung, Julio Cesar (atas)

Fierce Aerial Duel: Persib Bandung defender Julio Cesar (top) battles tightly for the ball against Selangor FC player Chrigor Moraes (left)
Source: Antara/Novrian Arbi

Summary

1. Persib Bandung defender Julio Cesar has urged his team to maintain full focus ahead of their final fixture against Persijap Jepara at GBLA Stadium.

2. Persib only needs one additional point from this upcoming match to secure their third consecutive league championship title.

3. This fixture holds extra significance, acting as both a revenge mission for their prior defeat and an emotional match dedicated to head coach Bojan Hodak.

Key defender for Persib Bandung, Julio Cesar, has delivered a critical message to his teammates to maintain peak concentration ahead of the final match of this season. Maung Bandung is scheduled to host Persijap Jepara at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium, Bandung, on Saturday (23/5/2026) at 16.00 WIB.

This fixture is make-or-break: Persib only requires one additional point to lock in this season's league title, an achievement that would mark their third consecutive championship trophy.

Even with home advantage and an unbeaten home record this campaign, Julio warned the squad against being swept up in premature celebration.

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"I know every Bobotoh is hungry for the title right now, but we must lock our focus onto this match. We have to navigate this game with full concentration to get the result we need," the Brazilian defender stated, as quoted from Persib's official website on 21 May 2026.

Warning: Past Pain Against Persijap
Julio Cesar's caution comes from hard fact: Persijap Jepara is no easy opponent. The visiting side holds a record that Bojan Hodak's squad cannot ignore:

One Of Few Vanquishers: Persijap is one of only three teams that successfully defeated Persib this season.

Revenge On The Line: During their first round meeting last August, Persib suffered a 1-2 defeat to Persijap at Gelora Bumi Kartini Stadium.

"This is the final match now. We lost on their ground, now we have to win on our home turf," remarked the 31-year-old defender.

Momentum From The Dramatic Parepare Victory
Persib enter this decisive fixture riding peak morale, coming off a dramatic late 2-1 win over PSM Makassar at Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium, Parepare, in their previous match.

That victory was sealed by Julio Cesar's stoppage time goal. The full three points put Persib on the cusp of the title, especially after closest title rivals Borneo FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Persijap on the same matchday.

"That feeling in the final moments, when I scored that goal alongside my teammates... everyone was crying at the final whistle. I will carry this memory for my entire life," he recalled.

A Special Dedication For Bojan Hodak

Beyond the players' grit on the pitch, Julio also highlighted the vital impact of captain Marc Klok. Before the PSM fixture, Klok delivered a team talk that unified and ignited the entire squad.

The speech carried heavy emotional weight, as that match was dedicated to head coach Bojan Hodak. The Croatian manager was absent from the touchline due to accumulated yellow card suspensions, and had returned to his home country to attend his mother's funeral.

"Before we stepped onto the pitch, Marc gave such powerful words. Everyone was burning with drive. We also spoke about Bojan not being with us. We played for him, every single one of us went out to give 100% of everything we had," Julio concluded.

This weekend's decider at GBLA is set to dominate national football attention, for this is no longer merely about securing one point: it is the ultimate test of champion mentality for the Maung Bandung squad.

If Persib can uphold the sharp focus Julio Cesar has called for, and successfully neutralise Persijap Jepara's ambitions, this three-peat title will not only stand as a perfect emotional tribute for coach Bojan Hodak — it will etch an unforgettable golden chapter for the tens of thousands of Bobotoh supporters.

Quick Answer

Julio Cesar Urges Persib Full Focus For Title Decider Match Against Persijap Jepara

Persib Bandung defender Julio Cesar has ordered his squad to maintain full focus ahead of their final league fixture against Persijap Jepara at GBLA Stadium. Persib requires just 1 point from this match to claim their third consecutive domestic league championship, with the fixture also carrying revenge and emotiona...

Persib needs only 1 point against Persijap to secure 3 straight league titles
Julio Cesar warned the squad against premature celebration despite home advantage
Persijap previously defeated Persib 2-1 in the first round fixture this season
This match will be played as an emotional tribute to head coach Bojan Hodak

Persib Bandung defender Julio Cesar has called on his entire squad to maintain unbroken full focus ahead of their season defining final match against Persijap Jepara at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium. Just one single point from this fixture will lock in Persib's third consecutive domestic league championship title.

No Room For Complacency

Even with an unbeaten home record this campaign and full home support from Bobotoh fans, Julio has explicitly warned teammates against getting swept up in premature celebration before the final whistle blows.

"I know every supporter is hungry for the title right now, but we must lock our focus entirely onto this match. We have to navigate this 90 minutes with full concentration to get the result we need," the Brazilian defender stated via Persib official channels.

Past Defeat Against Persijap

Julio's warning is not unfounded. Persijap remains one of only three sides that managed to defeat Persib during this league season. The visiting side secured a 2-1 victory over Persib during the first round meeting at their home stadium last August.

"This is the final match now. We lost on their ground, now we have to deliver on our home turf," he added.

Emotional Stakes For The Squad

Persib enter this decider riding high on morale, following a dramatic stoppage time victory over PSM Makassar sealed by Julio Cesar himself. That result put the club on the edge of history, after title rivals Borneo FC dropped points against Persijap on the same matchday.

Beyond the league trophy, this fixture also carries deep emotional weight. The squad will be playing this match as a tribute to head coach Bojan Hodak, who returned to Croatia following the passing of his mother and will be absent from the touchline.

Captain Marc Klok delivered a unifying team talk ahead of the previous fixture that rallied the entire squad, and this same mentality will be required to cross the final hurdle this weekend.

This weekend's fixture at GBLA will be the ultimate test of champion mentality for Persib. If the squad can uphold the sharp focus Julio has called for, this three-peat title will stand as an unforgettable golden chapter for every Bobotoh supporter.