Yasser Asani, a key player for Esteghlal, was absent in the recent match against Tractor, and Ebrahim Talebi, the former coach of Esteghlal, pointed out the negative impact of this absence on the team's performance. He believes that Esteghlal performed well in the first half of the game, but after Asani's departure, they came under severe pressure in terms of attack.
Esteghlal's Performance in the First Half
Ebrahim Talebi stated in his analysis of the game that Esteghlal was the superior team in the first half, and Yasser Asani played an important role in this superiority. He noted how Tractor played during Asani's presence, saying: "Tractor practically had no clear plan for attacking, which indicates Asani's positive impact on the team."
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Decline in Esteghlal's Quality Without Asani
Talebi added that Asani's exit caused Esteghlal to lose 50% of their attacking capability, and this was clearly evident in the second half. He emphasized that the absence of Asani pulled the game away from the center of the field, and Esteghlal was unable to create any serious threat on Tractor's goal during quick transitions. Even players like Koushki could not be effective in this regard.
The former Esteghlal coach referred to the limitations of the coaching staff, stating that Sohrab Bakhtiari Zadeh was constrained and had limited options to change the course of the match. These challenges led to Esteghlal being under pressure and ultimately leaving the field with only a draw.
Challenges Ahead for Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League
With concerns about Esteghlal's upcoming match against Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League, Talebi noted that the team must prepare with all their strength. He mentioned Al-Gharafa's defeat against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, saying: "This does not mean that this team is weak, and Esteghlal must be cautious."
Talebi also pointed out the travel issues for Esteghlal to Qatar, adding: "Iranian teams face many difficulties during Asian travels. Esteghlal must first reach Najaf and then fly to Qatar from there, and this is not a simple route."
He concluded by expressing hope that Yasser Asani's injury is not serious and emphasized that his absence could create a significant problem for Esteghlal. Talebi called for Sohrab Bakhtiari Zadeh's hands not to be tied further and for Esteghlal to deliver the desired quality in the next match to please the fans.
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