Thomas Doll, the newly appointed head coach of Persija Jakarta, has recently overseen his inaugural training session following a delayed arrival in Jakarta due to a battle with COVID-19. The German coach expressed satisfaction with the players’ enthusiasm and diligent efforts during the pre-season training at the Nirwana Field in Sawangan, Depok, West Java. He was accompanied by his new assistant coach, Pasquale Rocco.
During the training session, Doll took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the intense rivalry between Persija and Persib Bandung, a rivalry often likened to the El Clasico in Spain or the Old Firm Derby in Scotland. As a seasoned manager with experience in European football, Doll acknowledged that he was initially unaware of the significance of this rivalry. However, after hearing stories from his coaching staff, he quickly became impressed.
Drawing from his experience as the former Borussia Dortmund boss, Doll likened the intensity of the Persija-Persib rivalry to some of the most renowned derbies in European football, such as the Revierderby in Germany, the Rome Derby in Italy, and the Budapest Derby in Hungary. Doll emphasized the level of emotion and passion displayed by fans and players in the Persija-Persib matches, asserting that it easily rivals that of the European derbies.
Doll stated, “It’s like a European rivalry. It’s not just about showing up at the stadium; there’s a lot of emotion involved. I’ve experienced derbies in Hamburg, in Rome, also the matches between Dortmund and Schalke…and the Persija-Persib rivalry can hold a candle to those matches. All of them are important matches, a huge mix of emotion and passion…and your heart can get involved in it, but you need to think intelligently too.”
The coach’s perspective provides valuable insight into the significance of this rivalry in Indonesian football and the profound impact it has on the players, coaches, and fans. With Doll’s insights, it becomes clear that the Persija-Persib rivalry is not merely a local spectacle but a significant event that stands on its own against the renowned derbies of Europe.
As Persija Jakarta continues its preparations for the upcoming season, the sentiments expressed by Coach Thomas Doll are likely to resonate with the players and fans, underscoring the rich history and intense competition that define the rivalry between Persija and Persib Bandung.
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