Classic Persija-Persib Match, Riding Rantis to the Call of No Fanaticism Worth Life

The 23rd week of BRI Liga 1 2024/2025 is one of the most anticipated moments for football enthusiasts in the country. One of the triggers is the match between Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung at the Patriot Chandrabaga Stadium, Bekasi, on Sunday (16/2/2025). This classic match will be marked by a high level of prestige.

As with the previous matches between the two teams, this game is also predicted to be tight. Persija may have the status of the host. The Patriot Stadium, with a capacity of 30,000 people, has the potential to be filled with Jakmania, the supporters of Persija.

However, Persija is not in their best form. The "Kemayoran Tigers" have not won in their last three matches. In the match against Persib in the first round, Persija also lost 2-0.

On the other hand, despite being a guest, Persib is now comfortably at the top of the temporary standings of Liga 1, leading by 10 points over Persija, which is in third place. "Maung Bandung" has even never lost an away game this season.

However, statistics are often just numbers when the two teams meet. The mental quality of both teams has a significant potential to determine the final outcome of the match.

That mentality is also what thousands of Bobotoh or Persib supporters tried to pump up in a training session at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Thursday (2/13/2025). The session was the last training session before the team went to Bekasi.

Banners with the names of the players on their backs were unfurled. White and blue flares were lit. “Fight Without Fear …,” said the bobotoh.

Filipino Persib goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza was very impressed with the injection of enthusiasm. He mentioned that throughout his career, this was the first time he received love from the team's supporters. "They are the reason we keep fighting," said Kevin Ray.

Jakmania also did the same thing on Friday (2/14/2025). They came in droves to support their favorite team while training at the Persija Training Ground in Depok.

Persija flags and groups of supporters from various regions were unfurled. On the edge of the field there were orange flares, the typical color of Jakmania. Chants were shouted for them not to lose. They promised to come in greater numbers when the match was held later.

There is no exact data on why the match between the two teams is full of prestige. Both are not city rivals. The distance between the two is more than 150 kilometers.

However, the aura of the match between the two is always burning. As a result, many special things must be done by various parties when the two teams fight.

One of the unique things is the use of tactical vehicles (rantis). Only in the Persib-Persija match, the visiting team players and officials entered the stadium wearing a rantis. In fact, for security reasons, there were once players and officials asked to wear bulletproof vests.

Supporters of both teams have also not been in the same stadium for a long time. Visiting team supporters are prohibited from coming to prevent clashes with home supporters.

Not only that, the rivalry between supporters of both teams is also depicted through cinema. In 2009, a film titled "Romeo & Juliet" appeared. It contains the love story of Persija and Persib supporters.

Despite various mitigations, it is still not easy to control the passions and emotions of millions of people inside and outside the stadium. There are still visiting team supporters who dare to come. Faced with the excessive reaction of the home supporters, lives are often at stake.

The names of Haringga Sirla, Lazuardi, and Ricko Andrean, for example, may be forgotten. However, history will continue to remember them as victims of narrow fanaticism of football supporters.

Now, ahead of the first match between Persija and Persib in 2025, the armored vehicles will still be used. Away supporters are again prohibited from coming to prevent disputes.

Instead, Persib held a joint viewing event from the cinema to the Koramil headquarters. Persija also asked Jakmania to maintain order on the field.

Love and enthusiasm for the favorite team are requested not to be shown with actions that could be sanctioned. This includes excessive intimidation to lighting flares on the field.

Not only the supporters are enthusiastic. The players and team officials are also impatient to compete.

A win would mean double. In addition to maintaining their position in the standings, a win would certainly boost the team's morale through the remaining 12 matches of the season.

Persib midfielder Marc Klok, for example, is enthusiastically awaiting the match. He even deliberately made a special video that was uploaded on his social media. The content is about training and mental preparation before the match.

"We want to maintain the positive trend of never losing at the opponent's home," said the former Persija player.

However, Klok is aware that it will not be easy. Persija has many quality players.

At the back, there is the trio of Ondrej Kudela, Muhammad Ferarri and Rizky Ridho. Up front, Persija also has sharp players like Marko Simic and Gustavo Almeida.

Persib coach Bojan Hodak said that he was not under pressure ahead of the match against Persija. According to him, the pressure was actually on Persija. The hosts were certainly required to win at home.

"However, we will continue to fight to win. Winning is a fantastic thing," Hodak said.

Persija coach Carlos Pena understands that victory is worth fighting for. Not only getting points, winning against Persib is needed to celebrate the struggle with Jakmania.

"We will gather energy to get the three points. Stay focused, do a good job and have to get a win at home," said the 41-year-old tactician.

Persija-Persib is expected to present the best match for its supporters. However, the competition should only be on the field during the match. After that, all are brothers, both love football.