Title: Esteghlal FC’s Path Forward: A Veteran’s Candid Assessment on Performance and Prospects
In a detailed analysis of Esteghlal FC’s current trajectory, club legend Hassan Roshan provided a measured perspective on the team’s performance, management, and critical upcoming challenges in the Asian Champions League.
A Performance in Need of Consistency
Following Esteghlal’s draw against Jordan’s Al-Wehdat in the fourth week of the Asian Champions League, Roshan acknowledged a degree of improvement in the team’s play. He noted that the blue-clad team controlled possession and the pitch at times but has yet to achieve the necessary stability for top-tier performance. Roshan emphasized that refraining from frequent changes to the lineup is crucial, stating, “If the team composition does not change and the players are maintained in their current condition, we can hope for greater coordination. However, frequent and fluctuating changes can be detrimental.”
Scrutiny on Coach Sapianto’s Conduct
The veteran’s commentary turned to the conduct of head coach Sapianto, whose sideline behavior has drawn significant attention. “Sapianto came with high expectations and is on a substantial contract,” Roshan remarked. “We are not his enemies. He receives the people’s money and must be accountable for it.” He expressed concern that the coach has yet to master his comportment, noting that actions like shouting, gesticulating wildly, or throwing water bottles are unbecoming of a grand club like Esteghlal. Roshan warned that such behavior could lead to another suspension for the coach. While conceding that results have been relatively good, he concluded, “I still cannot be optimistic about Esteghlal’s future with this coach.”
A Daunting Path in the Asian Champions League
Assessing the team’s chances of advancing from the group stage, Roshan was forthright about the difficulty of the task ahead. “We have a very tough job ahead of us. Football is merciless, and there is no room left for error,” he stated. He outlined that victories in both upcoming matches against the UAE’s Al-Wasl and Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq are essential to keep qualification hopes alive. Roshan highlighted the challenges of both fixtures, including an away game in Bahrain and a “home” game that feels unfamiliar. “Even the pitch in Tehran feels foreign to us now,” he said, “and only the presence of our supporters can provide true encouragement.”
The Dilemma of a Relocated Capital Derby
Roshan also addressed the decision to host the storied 106th Tehran derby against Persepolis in the city of Arak. He explained that authorities had little choice but to make this decision due to stadium availability. However, he lamented the impact on the club’s core supporters. “Unfortunately, these conditions deprive our Tehrani fans from watching the game up close. The majority of our spectators are from the middle and lower classes and cannot afford to travel to other cities to see the match.”
He argued that moving the derby out of Tehran strips the event of nearly 90% of its allure. “The pitch is unfamiliar, the atmosphere is unfamiliar, and the conditions become difficult for the fans,” Roshan noted. While accepting the necessity of the move for this instance, he expressed a firm hope that it does not become a habit, urging officials to prepare Tehran’s Azadi Stadium promptly for future derbies.