Persib's Goal Drought: Kurzawa Will Be Their Secret Weapon

BANDUNG, KOMPAS - New player Layvin Kurzawa of Persib Bandung has the potential to become the secret weapon for the "Blue Prince," who is currently experiencing a goal drought. However, like other new players, there are concerns that he may still need to adapt to his new team.

After being absent when Persib hosted Persis Solo last week, Kurzawa is set to potentially make his debut on Friday (6/2/2026). The former French national team player and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is expected to be relied upon as Persib hosts the strong team Malut United.

Maung Bandung is currently at the top of the BRI Super League 2025/2026 standings with a total of 44 points from 19 matches. Meanwhile, their opponent Malut is in fourth place with 37 points from 19 matches.

In the previous match on December 14, 2025, Persib lost 2-0 to Malut. The opposing team was reinforced by four former key players of Persib, one of whom is Ciro Alves.

In that match, it will not only serve as a moment for Persib to seek revenge but also a necessity to win in order to distance themselves from the pursuit of Borneo FC. Borneo FC is currently in second place, just one point behind Persib.

Kurzawa, who was met after training, admitted that he was in good condition and very happy to be in his new team and the warm welcome from Bobotoh, the nickname for Persib supporters.

"I'm very happy to be here. I feel at home. It's thanks to you (bobotoh)," he said on Friday.

He admitted that he chose Persib because of the atmosphere of the stadium, the supporters, and the ambiance of the city of Bandung. "My wife even cried because she was moved by the amazing welcome from the supporters," he stated.

Kurzawa's enthusiasm for competing presents an opportune moment for Persib to strengthen its attack, which has been lacking in goals. In the last five matches, "Maung Bandung" has only scored five goals.

The presence of this 33-year-old player can strengthen the attack from the left wing. The player, who is primarily a left-back, has managed to score 14 goals and provide 23 key assists over eight seasons representing PSG in 154 matches.

Persib coach Bojan Hodak hopes that Kurzawa can assist the team with his quality. For Hodak, Kurzawa's presence is beneficial for Indonesian football. His career is impressive, with a wealth of experience.

However, Hodak hopes that all parties will be patient. Like all new players, Kurzawa still needs to adapt in order to perform cohesively with the team.

"In the next 3.5 months, we will play a minimum of 19 to 25 matches, so there will definitely be playing time for him. We will take it slow," he added.