Persib Bandung must overturn a 0-3 deficit from the first leg against Ratchaburi FC in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025–2026. Coach Bojan Hodak stated that players are physically fit despite a dip in mental state, emphasizing focus on the second leg at Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api on February 18, 2026.
Persib Bandung suffered a 0-3 defeat to Ratchaburi FC in the first leg of the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Two 2025–2026, held at Ratchaburi Stadium in Thailand on February 11, 2026. The home team's three goals were scored by Tana (two goals) and Gabriel Mutombo, capitalizing on Persib's errors through quick counterattacks.
Coach Bojan Hodak delivered strong criticism to his team in the dressing room, as shown in the club's official YouTube footage. He highlighted the difference in level between the domestic Super League and the Asian competition. “Level ini berbeda dengan liga. Di liga (Super League), jika membuat kesalahan mereka tidak akan menghukum kita. Di sini (ACL 2), kita membuat banyak kesalahan dan mereka menghukum kita,” Bojan said.
Nevertheless, Hodak assessed that Persib performed better in the first half of the first leg, creating more chances and shots, though none resulted in goals. Factors like weather differences also affected their play. “Kami sedikit tidak beruntung dalam beberapa hal, cuacanya berbeda, banyak hal. Tetapi hasilnya masih terlalu tinggi. Karena di babak pertama saya percaya kami adalah tim yang lebih baik,” he stated.
Ahead of the second leg at Stadion Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) in Bandung on February 18, 2026, Bojan confirmed that players' physical condition is fine, though mental state is somewhat affected by the loss. “Kondisi pemain secara fisik oke, tapi secara mental agak kurang oke. Namun, terkadang kekalahan itu perlu dan pertandingan yang buruk bisa saja terjadi,” he revealed on February 14, 2026.
He urged players not to blame each other and to focus on the comeback. “Sekarang, kita hanya perlu fokus pada pertandingan berikutnya. Jangan menyalahkan satu sama lain. Lupakan segalanya tentang hari ini,” Bojan emphasized, confident that home crowd support could aid the team's recovery.
