Title: Esteghlal FC’s Attack: A Critical Test in Domestic and Asian Campaigns
A Concerning Start to the Season
As the new Iranian football season progresses, Esteghlal FC has officially played eight matches across three major competitions: the Super Cup, the Persian Gulf Pro League, and the AFC Champions League. However, the statistical output from the team’s forwards has raised significant concerns about a developing crisis in the attacking line.
Strikers Firing Blanks
The club’s primary strikers—Mohammadreza Azadi, Saeed Saharkhizan, and Dacen Nazon—have collectively failed to score a single goal across all these fixtures. Their contribution has been limited to just two assists: one from Saharkhizan in a league match against Tractor and another from Nazon in the game against Zob Ahan.
This lack of goals highlights a clear weakness in the frontline, the area of the team expected to be decisive in breaking down opponents and securing victories. The absence of scoring, coupled with what has been described as an overall unsatisfactory quality of play from the attackers, has become a growing source of anxiety for the team’s passionate fan base.
High Stakes in Key Competitions
With Esteghlal deeply engaged in both the domestic league and the prestigious AFC Champions League, the urgent need for goals is paramount. A continuation of this unproductive trend could seriously jeopardize the team’s ambitions and future in these parallel campaigns. Supporters and analysts alike are calling for a serious re-evaluation of the attacking unit to swiftly address this challenge. The situation presents a critical test for the club, which made significant investments to acquire these players who have, so far, not met expectations.