Prepare the players' mentality, Igor Tolic refers to the Persija versus Persib match held at GBK as a special football fixture.

Persib Bandung are set to play one of the most awaited fixtures of the 2nd matchweek of the 2026/27 Super League. Head coach Igor Tolic has described the upcoming clash against Persija Jakarta at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) on 12 September as an extraordinary match.

For Tolic, travelling to face Persija on their home turf is no ordinary away game. The stadium atmosphere, the long-running rivalry between the two clubs, and the backing of tens of thousands of fans give this fixture, famously known as the Indonesia Derby, its own distinct weight and pressure.

"This is always a special match. I was in Bekasi two seasons ago, at Patriot Stadium. But playing at Persija's own home ground is something very special for our side," Tolic told members of the press during the official kick-off ceremony for the BRI Super League 2026/27 in Jakarta.

Tolic understands perfectly the intensity of matches between these two clubs. This upcoming fixture however carries unique context, as it marks Persija's first home match against Persib hosted within Jakarta after a years-long wait.

Return to SUGBK After Seven Years

Persija last hosted Persib at SUGBK, Jakarta on 10 July 2019, a match that finished 1-1.

All subsequent home fixtures for Persija against Persib were held outside Jakarta after that date. Last season, the Macan Kemayoran side hosted the Pangeran Biru at Segiri Stadium, Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

For this reason, the 12 September fixture will revive a match atmosphere that has been missing from the capital city for years. SUGBK is expected to be filled wall-to-wall with Persija supporters there to rally their team.

Tolic acknowledges that mental preparation will be one of the most critical factors for this match. Performing inside a major stadium in front of tens of thousands of opposing supporters demands unbroken focus and emotional control.

That said, Tolic believes Persib's experience competing in Asian continental competitions over the past two seasons has built a vital foundation for his squad to handle high-pressure match environments.

"We must prepare mentally to remain steady when we step out onto that full stadium pitch. But we have already played so many high-stakes matches across Asia, that experience will help us navigate difficult fixtures like this far better," the Croatian head coach concluded.