Title: Persepolis Icon Analyzes Team’s Early Struggles, Highlights Need for Offensive Shift
In a candid assessment of Persepolis FC’s start to the new season, club legend Morteza Kermani Moghaddam has pointed to missed opportunities and a lack of tactical variety as key reasons for the team’s unexpected position in the league table.
A Disappointing Start
The former Persepolis striker expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance in its first six matches. “Unfortunately, Persepolis very easily lost points in its initial games,” Kermani Moghaddam stated. “Right now, the team should have been comfortably at the top of the table with a significant lead over its rivals. Instead, it finds itself in a position that few expected.”
He emphasized that the results of other top teams have made these dropped points even more regrettable. “Teams like Sepahan, Tractor, and Esteghlal also lost points. Had Persepolis been able to capitalize on the opportunities in these past few weeks, the situation would be far better today, and they would be leading the table with ease.”
Over-reliance and Tactical Concerns
Kermani Moghaddam identified a critical over-reliance on star striker Ali Alipour. “Unfortunately, although we have several offensive players in the squad, we have pinned all our hopes on Alipour and want to use only his abilities,” he remarked. He urged head coach Vahid Hashemian to consider a more flexible attacking plan, asking, “What would we do if we didn’t have Alipour?”
According to the veteran, this singular focus is a primary reason for the team’s low goal tally. “One of the reasons Persepolis has scored few goals and hasn’t been winning is that we have too few attackers in the opponent’s penalty area. We have been saying this since the start of the season, but unfortunately, the technical staff of Persepolis is not paying attention to it.”
The FIFA Break and a Potential Solution
Commenting on the ongoing FIFA international break, the former player was cautious about its impact, recalling that the team’s form did not improve after the previous break. He suggested that the ideal scenario would have been to add one or two new strikers to the roster, but acknowledged that club officials have not indicated such a move is imminent.
The most striking part of his analysis was the open discussion of a potential managerial change. When asked about rumors of former coach Osmar’s return, Kermani Moghaddam was direct. “I think six matches were enough for Vahid Hashemian to show himself and his team. With all the offensive players and forward-moving wingers we have acquired, we should have achieved better results.”
He praised the success of Osmar in his previous stint, noting, “The important point in Osmar’s success was that he sent his team onto the field with an attacking mentality. He replaced Yahya Golmohammadi mid-season and managed to lead the team to the championship.” While acknowledging the different circumstances, Kermani Moghaddam expressed confidence that Osmar could quickly synchronize with the current squad.
A Call for Proactive Play
The Persepolis icon concluded by criticizing the team’s habit of only showing aggressive, attacking football in the final minutes of a match. “When Persepolis can play so offensively in the last 20 minutes, it should apply the same pressure from the first 20 minutes and score a goal to settle its nerves,” he asserted. He explained that scoring early forces opponents to abandon their defensive layers, a strategy that has historically brought Persepolis success.
While wishing Hashemian success elsewhere, Kermani Moghaddam firmly believes his methods are not working at Persepolis, fueling fan and expert speculation that a change in leadership could be the catalyst the team needs to reclaim its dominant form.