Eliano Reijnders and Igor Tolic's 'Iron Man' Label: A Signal of How Much Persib Rely on Their All-Rounder
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- Igor Tolic memberi julukan 'Iron Man' kepada Eliano Reijnders karena bek 25 tahun itu nyaris tak pernah absen di tengah jadwal padat Persib.
- Eliano tampil dalam delapan laga lintas kompetisi musim ini dan hanya sekali tidak dimainkan, yakni pada pekan pertama kontra PSM Makassar.
- Fleksibilitas Eliano sebagai fullback, wingback, hingga gelandang serang membuatnya menjadi salah satu pemain paling sulit digantikan di skema Persib.
The 'Iron Man' nickname that Persib Bandung coach Igor Tolic has given Eliano Reijnders is more than rhetorical praise. Behind the label lies a real question about how hard it is for Persib to let go of one of the least absent players in their squad, especially when the match calendar demands tight rotation.
Eliano himself greeted the nickname calmly. The 25-year-old said he was happy to be trusted with regular starts, but he chose not to dwell on the praise. His focus, as he said through the club's official website, shifted straight to the next match. That statement reflects a mindset rarely found in young players: an awareness that a coach's trust can only be sustained through performance, not through personal titles.
Proof of Eliano's consistency is visible in his minutes. He is almost always a first choice, including when Persib beat Persik Kediri 1-0 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, on matchweek five of the BRI Super League 2026/2027. In that match he played the full 90 minutes plus. Across this season, the younger brother of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has appeared in eight matches across competitions. The only exception came in the first matchweek against PSM Makassar, when he was not fielded.
Tolic's 'Iron Man' nickname makes sense given the load Eliano carries. The crowded BRI Super League schedule, plus other commitments, demands that players maintain both fitness and performance. In that context, Eliano's ability to play in many positions is a double advantage for Persib. He can be deployed as a fullback, wingback, wide midfielder, or even attacking midfielder without significantly reducing the team's quality.
Yet this kind of flexibility carries risk. Dependence on a single all-round player often leaves a team off balance when that player is injured or fatigued. Persib appear to be aware of this, but for now Eliano is the most practical solution in the wide and defensive sectors. His ability to support attacks while staying disciplined in defense makes him a crucial asset for the team beloved by Bobotoh.
"I am happy because the coach trusts me. In every match, I also feel happy and my condition is fit to play," Eliano said, as quoted from the club's website.
Eliano's statement underlines one thing: the coach's trust goes hand in hand with the player's physical readiness. He does not merely accept the nickname; he also reaffirms his commitment to keep playing as long as he is needed. That attitude matters in a competition that demands consistent results, especially for a team of Persib's stature, which always carries the weight of high supporter expectations.
From a tactical standpoint, Eliano's presence gives Tolic room to experiment. He can change formations without having to overhaul personnel, because Eliano can fill several roles at once. This flexibility is an added value in a crowded competition, where player rotation often determines a team's long-term success.
Going forward, the challenge for Eliano is not only to stay fit but also to maintain consistent performance under pressure. If he can get through this season without a significant injury, the 'Iron Man' nickname will stick even more, not as fleeting praise but as recognition of genuine durability. The question is, how long can Persib rely on one player to cover so many gaps in their squad?
