Ali Hamoudi discussed Esteghlal's performance in the AFC Champions League and the Premier League, stating: Esteghlal has exceeded expectations this year. Given that the team's transfer window was closed and conditions were not favorable for acquiring new players, few expected Esteghlal to perform so well with a youthful squad put together by Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh.
Esteghlal's Remarkable Performance in Asia
Hamoudi added: Esteghlal has worked exceptionally well, especially in Asia, and is on a good path. The team's condition will improve day by day. The players are in very good shape and have shown suitable performances in various positions. Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh has also managed his team well, providing good football and achieving results.
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Dependence on Yasser Asani
Hamoudi spoke about Yasser Asani's brilliance and concerns over the possibility of this player's injury, saying: In world football, there are always players who play a crucial role in their team's performance. For example, Barcelona, despite having quality players, benefits from the brilliance of a player like Lamine Yamal in his position. Esteghlal is no exception to this rule.
He continued: Asani is currently experiencing his best form and is in exceptional condition. Of course, Esteghlal has players like Alireza Koushki and Mohammad Hossein Islami who can play in that position, but it is not easy to overlook Asani's impact. He has settled into this position and has shown high quality.
Upcoming Concerns and the Importance of Focus
The former Esteghlal player noted: In the Asian games, we also saw that before Asani's presence, Esteghlal's right side was not as active as it should have been, and Saleh Hardani was somewhat isolated. With Asani's addition, the situation changed, and he was able to make an incredible impact with one move, paving the way for three points. Therefore, it cannot be said that Esteghlal is not dependent on Asani. He plays an important role in the team's attacking section, and if, God forbid, he faces an injury, Esteghlal may encounter problems in this area.
Hamoudi emphasized regarding Esteghlal's match against Gol Gohar Sirjan in the Premier League: The conditions of the Premier League are different from those of the Asian competitions. In the Iranian league, even teams at the bottom of the table can cause trouble for the contenders. We have seen various examples where less favored teams have achieved results against big teams, so Esteghlal must enter this match with full focus. We saw that Kheybar managed to earn points against Persepolis.
The Importance of Readiness in Upcoming Matches
He added: Esteghlal has performed well in recent matches and must maintain the same focus and seriousness that they have shown in previous games against Gol Gohar. In our league, no match is easy, and if a team lacks the necessary focus even for part of the game, they may lose points.
Hamoudi pointed out the presence of Seyed Mehdi Rahmati on Gol Gohar's bench, saying: It is natural for Rahmati to want to showcase his abilities against Esteghlal. He has a history with Esteghlal, and this match will hold special significance for him. Every player or coach facing their former team is motivated to perform well. He has the motivation to one day become the head coach of Esteghlal.
He noted: Gol Gohar is also one of the good teams in the Premier League and can be a tough opponent for Esteghlal. Therefore, Esteghlal should not assume that they will easily pass this match and must enter the field with high readiness and focus.
Necessary Actions to Maintain Success
The former Esteghlal player responded to the question of what actions the team should take to maintain its successful trend in the Premier League and Asia, stating: Given the closed transfer window, the most important issue is to maintain player readiness and prevent injuries. Esteghlal must focus more on player recovery than in previous years and, if necessary, allocate the necessary costs for this matter.
He added: When there is no possibility of acquiring new players, maintaining the condition of current players becomes more critical. Esteghlal should have a suitable recovery program after each match so that players can enter future matches in full readiness. This should be one of the priorities for the club's management and coaching staff.
Hamoudi emphasized: Fortunately, Esteghlal has not had any significant issues so far, and what is seen from the outside indicates that the team is in good condition. If the players maintain this status, stay in good physical condition, and avoid creating any issues for the team, Esteghlal can continue its good trend.
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