Eduardo Perez Reveals Why Persebaya Lost to Persija at GBT

Defeat always has a story, and for Persebaya Surabaya coach, Eduardo Perez, the story that night at Gelora Bung Tomo (GBT) Stadium wasn't about who was better, but about small details that went unanticipated.

“Sometimes the match result is determined by a few situations, set pieces, penalties, or a single shot. So we know what needs to be fixed,” Perez said in the post-match press conference after the game against Persija Jakarta on Saturday night, October 18, 2025.

The Green Crocodiles had to swallow a 1-3 defeat to The Kemayoran Tigers in front of thousands of Bonek fans filling the GBT stands. However, Perez assessed that in terms of play, both teams performed strongly and were evenly matched. 

“For me, this was a match between two teams who both wanted to win. But of course, victory is often decided by small details,” he added.

The Momentum that Changed the Course

In the first half, Persebaya played quite confidently, pressing from the start and trying to utilize speed on the wings. But after two goals nestled into their net, the tempo of the game changed drastically. Pressure on the backline increased, and the rhythm established in the early minutes slowly faded.

Perez acknowledged that the moment they conceded made his team lose control of the game. For the Spanish coach, the match against Persija wasn't just about the result, but also an important lesson in managing emotions and focus during critical moments.

Despite the disappointment, Perez stressed that his team should not dwell on the negative result. He wants the Persebaya squad to immediately rise and face the next match with a stronger mentality.

“Now we must come together again. Today we are sad because we couldn't give the win to the supporters, but starting tomorrow we must think positively and work hard for the next match,” he asserted.

Focus Forward, Not Backward

Public attention had focused on Perez's decision to rotate several key players, including starting Gali Freitas from the beginning. Responding to this, the coach emphasized that all decisions were based on performance evaluations during training. He rejected the notion that there was excessive experimentation amidst the tight league schedule.

On the other hand, Persebaya defender Leo Lelis also highlighted the high tension of the match. According to him, the duel against Persija wasn't just about the prestige of two big clubs, but also about the quality of play tested on the field.

“We were unlucky today because we couldn't take home the three points,” Lelis said. 

He also added that the team still respects supporter opinions, but on the field they only focus on executing the coach's strategy.

“I didn't hear anything from the stands because I was focused on the game. We tried to play according to our style and find the spaces available on the field,” he stated. (Antara)