Persepolis, the popular football team of Iran, is only six days away from their crucial match against Naft Masjed Soleyman. This match, which takes place after a month-long break, will be the first game of the six-week period of the Reds' second season. Now, as they enter the final stage of training, the situation of injured players and national team members who have been away from training for a long time has become a major challenge for the coaching staff.
Absence of Kananian and changes in defense
Hossein Kananian, the first captain of Persepolis, is one of the most important absentees in recent training sessions. Although it was expected that his injury would be minor, reports indicate that he will miss the match against Naft Masjed Soleyman. Additionally, Danial Eiri, another defender of the team, is unavailable due to an injury sustained during the Asian Games, and the timeline for his return to training is still unclear.
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In the absence of Kananian and Eiri, Hossein Abraghi is being considered as the main replacement in the center of defense. Although he has also been injured for a while, it seems that Tartari can count on his presence in this match. If Abraghi plays alongside Mohammad Mehdi Zareh, it is likely that Amir Hossein Taheri, the new defender of Persepolis, will also be included in the match roster for the first time.
Uncertainties in key positions
In midfield, the situation of Pouya Pourali has raised concerns. Although it was said that his injury was minor, his absence from recent training could pose a bigger challenge for Tartari. Pourali has been one of the main players in the team's first six matches of the season, and in his absence, Tartari will need to look for another option.
In the left-back position, Abolfazl Jalali has recently returned to training, but it is still unclear whether he will make it to the main lineup or if Mehdi Tikdari will continue in his non-specialized position. Alongside these issues, the status of Ali Alipour in the attack remains uncertain, and if he is absent, Pouria Shahabadi may take his place in the main lineup.
With these circumstances, it seems that Persepolis is on the verge of a significant change in their main lineup, which could impact the outcome of the match against Naft Masjed Soleyman.
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