Even After Defeating PSM 3-1, Bung Binder Still Criticizes Persib Bandung: Defense Not Solid Yet!

When the opening whistle sounded at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium, no one expected Persib Bandung to be pushed into a difficult position after just 6 minutes. PSM Makassar, the visitors from Sulawesi, surprisingly opened the scoring with a lightning counterattack. The whole stadium fell silent. But what matters is not the early goal, but the way veteran commentator Bung Binder immediately zoomed in on Persib's defense. Even when Persib came from behind to win 3-1, he still declared firmly: "The defense is not solid!" That statement is not to belittle the victory, but a warning drawn from many matches and many seasons he has witnessed. The match context: Persib Bandung hosted PSM Makassar at home in the Indonesian Super League. The hosts were rated higher thanks to their deep squad and home advantage. However, PSM showed they were not there to make up the numbers. In the 6th minute, from a situation where Persib pushed forward and lost the ball, PSM launched a lightning counterattack. Persib's defense could not retreat in time, allowing the opponent to break through and score. The goal came too early and left Persib in a state of confusion. For the next 20 minutes, PSM continued to have 2-3 more dangerous counterattacks, keeping Persib's goalkeeper under constant threat. By the 30th minute, Persib gradually regained control thanks to midfield adjustments. The first half ended 0-1 to PSM. What happened after the break? Coach Igor Tolic, who had been criticized for his tactical decisions, made important changes. He brought on Adam Alis and Balsa Sekulic at the start of the second half. This change immediately made a difference. Persib's midfield became more secure in possession, reducing risky passes that could trigger PSM counterattacks. In the 55th minute, from a central combination, Mateo Matricardi headed home to equalize. The goal lifted Persib's morale. In the 70th minute, Balsa Sekulic, one of the two substitutes, scored to make it 2-1 after a close-range finish. In the 85th minute, Barros sealed the 3-1 victory with a beautiful long-range strike. The final result was 3-1, but Bung Binder remained dissatisfied with the defensive performance. "I have said many times that Persib's defense is still fragile against counterattacks. Today they conceded in the 6th minute, and it was only luck and the brilliance of their attacking players that saved them from a worse result," Bung Binder said on television. He stressed that his criticism is not aimed at the head coach, but at the defenders. "This is not the coach's problem. Igor Tolic made sensible changes. The problem lies in the concentration and organization of the defense. If this is not fixed soon, Persib will face big trouble against stronger opponents than PSM." The statistics we have do not show the full picture, but they are enough to reveal the problem. Persib had 62% possession, but most of that control came after falling behind. Before the goal, Persib had three passes into the final third intercepted, and on all three occasions PSM launched counterattacks. Another notable stat: Persib's center-backs won only 55% of their duels in the central zone. This is below the team's average in recent wins. Moreover, the average distance between the two center-backs when PSM counterattacked was 18.3 meters – a gap too large for any opponent to exploit. This is not a new problem. Looking at Persib's previous matches, a pattern emerges: the team is vulnerable when opponents use pace in attack. However, we must be fair. The 3-1 victory shows Persib's attacking strength and squad depth. Having two substitutes who changed the game is a testament to the quality of the bench. Adam Alis brought solidity to midfield, while Balsa Sekulic showed a keen eye for goal. These are positive signals, but they do not mask the defensive weakness. Veteran commentator Bung Binder may have seen what many optimistic fans overlook: a team cannot keep relying on attacking stars to win if the defense continues to make tactical errors. In modern football, defending is not solely the responsibility of the backline. It is a whole system. When Persib lose the ball in the opponent's third, midfielders must immediately press or drop to support. The fact that PSM could easily reach the box after just 2-3 passes shows that Persib's pressing and transition management were not up to standard. Bung Binder, with more than 30 years of commentary experience, has often analyzed how big teams handle counterattacks. He does not criticize groundlessly; he relies on real observations. Looking at the 6th-minute goal, we should ask: who lost the ball? How did the midfielders or defenders cover? Why did the center-backs leave such a huge gap? These are questions Persib's coaching staff need to answer. Data is a mirror; a fool sees himself in it, but a wise man sees the team. In this match, that mirror reflected two opposite images: an attack that knew how to score, and a defense that did not know how to protect the lead. The problem is not that Persib cannot defend, but how they defend when countered. When opponents play over the top and use pace, Persib's center-backs often struggle with positioning. They tend to get stretched, creating deadly gaps. Remember the 2026 World Cup, a tournament I followed closely. Successful teams had an immutable rule: never lose the ball in dangerous areas and always maintain a compact shape. When the opponent had the ball in midfield, full-backs and central midfielders had to immediately close up. But Persib allowed PSM too much space between the lines. This is not due to physical issues but to undisciplined tactical organization. Perhaps Igor Tolic needs to review his team's shape when out of possession, especially when his side pushes forward. Another noteworthy point is the players' psychology. After equalizing 1-1, Persib played with enthusiasm and continuously pressed forward. But in the early minutes of the second half, before the equalizer, they still looked lost. It was only when Adam Alis and Balsa Sekulic came on that the play became clearer. This shows that squad depth is an advantage, but tactics must be matched with the right personnel. Bung Binder probably wanted to say: he has no objection to using attacking players, but if the defense is not safe, any victory is fragile. Looking at the stats, Persib won, but did they win... luckily? Not exactly. They won thanks to individual quality and the coach's adjustments. But football is a sport of probabilities. If PSM's first-half shots had been more precise, the score could have been 0-2 or 0-3. Then, would Persib have been able to come back? The answer might be no. So Bung Binder is not wrong to criticize. He is looking at the risk potential, not just this match. Numbers never lie, but the people who read them do. Every number is a confession, if we are patient enough to listen. Today, Persib's defense confessed they are not ready to face opponents who exploit spaces. This could be a warning for upcoming matches, where they will face teams with higher pace and technical ability than PSM. So what needs to be fixed? First, improve pressing after losing possession. Persib needs a clear plan when opponents counter: who attacks the ball immediately, who drops to cover? Second, improve the center-backs' reading of the game. They need to stay closer together, avoiding being pulled apart. Third, could the goalkeeper play higher to sweep up over-the-top passes? These small details can make a huge difference. I have watched many matches around the world and seen many teams criticized despite winning. That is because victories can hide fundamental issues. Coach Igor Tolic needs to listen to constructive criticism. Bung Binder is not a trouble-maker; he simply reflects a reality many fans do not want to admit. If Persib continue to play like this, they will struggle against stronger teams. On the other hand, the 3-1 win also shows Persib have a fighting spirit. Coming from behind against a team like PSM is not easy. They have quality players such as Matricardi, Sekulic, and Barros. But top football requires not only individual quality but also a well-oiled system. The system is now working unevenly between attack and defense. So do not celebrate the victory while ignoring the veteran commentator's warning. The next matches will be the real test. If Persib continue to concede early in upcoming games, it will no longer be a coincidence but a pattern of systemic failure. Coach Igor Tolic and his players must sit down, review the footage, and find a solution. In a competitive league like the Super League, every gap must be paid for with points. Statistics may not tell the whole story, but they always know the way to the truth. In this match, the truth is: Persib scored 3 goals, but also nearly conceded 1-2 more because of defensive lapses. Without improvement, their league position will not be sustainable. Bung Binder highlights this not to demean, but because he wants the club he loves to become better. That is why he keeps talking about defense, even when his team wins. As a man who has experienced five World Cups, I understand that emotion is the most difficult data noise to filter. But if we ignore that emotion, we will not see the full picture. And the full picture, at this moment, is not as beautiful as the 3-1 scoreline suggests. The question arises: Is Bung Binder just an outsider judging, or is he someone who has been attached to Persib and thus understands the internal issues? Looking at how he speaks, we see the concern of a man who has devoted his life to football. Victory matters, but the way you win matters just as much. Today Persib won with spirit, but a big club must win with tactical intelligence as well. Otherwise, one day, spirit will not be enough to save them from defeat. Let's wait for the next rounds. Persib will face opponents with sharp counter-attacking styles. This will be a test for their defense. If Bung Binder continues to speak out, perhaps the issue is still unresolved. Conversely, if Persib keep clean sheets in several consecutive matches, the criticism will automatically fade. Football is like that: the truth lies on the pitch, not in words. Age 62 does not slow me down; it tells me which data is worth waiting for. I will wait a few more matches to see whether Persib's defense truly improves. For now, the 3-1 victory is a reminder: a win cannot hide the vast spaces behind, and critics like Bung Binder are born to point that out.