Persija Jakarta faced another setback in the Liga 1 2024/2025 season, losing 1-0 to PSM Makassar on Sunday, February 23, 2025. This defeat marks yet another poor result for the team, mirroring the struggles of PSS Sleman, who also failed to find consistency. The sole goal of the match came from Nermin Haljeta, who struck decisively in the 60th minute after receiving a long pass, skillfully finding the back of the net past the Persija goalkeeper.
The win was particularly significant for PSM, who had been struggling with five consecutive matches without victory. With this hard-fought win, they climbed to seventh place on the Liga 1 leaderboard, stirring hopes of re-entering the competition. On the other hand, this loss for Persija has left their championship aspirations hanging by a thread, especially as they fall behind stronger contenders like Persib Bandung.
This match was historic for PSM, as they ended their eight-year drought against Persija, finally registering a win over their longtime rivals. The atmosphere was charged, with both teams vying to establish dominance, but it was PSM's disciplined play and resilience which clinched the victory.
Adding to Persija's woes, the team had to contend with the absence of their Brazilian forward, Gustavo Almeida, who had been benched by coach Carlos Pena. Pena made this tactical decision based on Almeida's condition, opting instead for a frontline featuring Marko Simic, Ryo Matsumura, and Witan Sulaeman. Unfortunately, this trio struggled to make their mark during the first half, failing to convert limited chances.
Despite his late introduction at the 70-minute mark, following PSM's opening goal, Almeida's presence was not enough to turn the tide. He replaced Pablo Andrade, but the team's poor first-half performance echoed throughout the match as they could not mount an effective comeback. Coach Pena echoed the sentiments of frustration concerning the lack of offensive output from his starting forwards, which was compounded by Almeida's later entry.
Analysts and fans alike are left questioning the decision to leave Almeida on the sidelines for so long. His capabilities as one of the key offensive players are unquestioned, yet it's evident his absence contributed significantly to the team’s inability to score. With this defeat, the pressure mounts on Persija to regroup quickly and reassess their strategies moving forward.
This loss has major ramifications for Persija, whose aspirations for the championship grow dimmer day by day. With upcoming matches closely following this disappointing result, adjustments will need to be made both tactically and psychologically. The team's management and coaching staff must address the team's inconsistency and find solutions to the problems highlighted by this latest loss.
Looking forward, all eyes will be on Almeida's recovery and readiness for future matches, as his performance could be pivotal to Persija's success or failure this season. Will coach Pena utilize him more effectively next time? Only time will tell, but for now, Persija Jakarta faces the challenge of bouncing back from this latest defeat.