Player Fitness Key to Persib Navigating Tough Early-Season Challenges
Persib Bandung physical coach Karlo Reinholz emphasized that his side will spare no effort in tackling a grueling early-season schedule. He explained that Persib have begun finding their match rhythm, providing a solid foundation for the campaign ahead.
Heading into October 2026, Persib face an extraordinarily packed fixture list, playing seven matches in just 20 days. Each opponent presents a unique set of challenges, ranging from different tactical approaches to varying weather conditions.
“As you know, we are about to enter a very congested fixture period. October can be seen as our first major test, where we’ll be playing every three or four days,” Reinholz told reporters.
The primary obstacle lies not only in the tactical demands of their opponents, but also in the extensive travel involved. Managing travel fatigue will be critical as Persib aim to maintain peak fitness levels.
“It’s an exciting prospect for all of us because we’ll be dealing with different playing styles, different countries, long travel, unique conditions, and varying weather. There is plenty of adventure ahead,” Reinholz added.
To maintain performance levels across all competitions, Reinholz believes strategic squad rotation will be crucial. Given Persib’s deep and balanced squad this season, effective rotation will help navigate the heavy workload.
“We have several options for squad rotation. The positive news is that a few players returning from injury are making good progress, so there’s a strong chance we can utilize them in October,” he said.
“We are covering every detail and getting the basics right to prepare the players—not just for October, but also for the upcoming fixtures in November and December.”
Reinholz expressed confidence in the coaching staff’s planning, adding that success will depend on player accountability as Persib look to build on their achievements this season.
“As the matches progress, the players will naturally hit their rhythm. You could see that recently when we played three matches in a single week—we managed our fitness levels well without sustaining any injuries, so everything went smoothly,” he concluded.
