Title: Persepolis’s Tactical Gambit: A New Defensive Formation Sparks Hope and Questions
A Team in Crisis
Persepolis entered their recent match against Zob Ahan under immense pressure. Having secured only one victory in their first seven league games, the team was mired in a five-week winless streak of four draws and one loss. This marked one of the club’s most challenging periods in the league, with significant psychological strain on both the technical staff and players.
A Bold and Unexpected Solution
In a decisive move to escape the crisis, caretaker manager Vahid Hashemian made a bold tactical decision. For the first time this season, he deployed a three-defender formation, fundamentally altering the team’s defensive structure. The new lineup, featuring Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Hossein Abargouyi, and Morteza Pouraliganji in the center of defense, had only been tested in training but delivered a performance that exceeded all expectations.
A Resounding Success
The result of this courageous tactical shift was a convincing 2-0 victory and a clean sheet against Zob Ahan. This win, arriving after five weeks of disappointment, restored a sense of optimism and relief to the Persepolis camp. The new system not only solidified the team’s defensive focus but also granted the wing-backs greater freedom to advance, ultimately restoring balance to the entire squad’s structure.
The Managerial Conundrum
The victory, however, presents a compelling question for the returning head coach, Osmar Vieira. During his previous tenure with Persepolis, the Brazilian manager consistently favored a classic four-defender formation. His philosophy was built on ball possession, building play from the back, and a passing game—a system that naturally relied on four defenders.
A Tactical Crossroads
With only Kanaanizadegan remaining from his previous defensive line, Coach Vieira now faces a critical decision. Does he revert to his preferred four-defender system, or does the convincing performance of the three-defender formation against Zob Ahan warrant its continuation? The assured display of the new structure suggests its potential persistence, especially with a crucial upcoming match against Tractor in Tabriz on the horizon.
In a period where Persepolis is still seeking full coordination, the three-defender system could represent a conservative yet effective choice for Vieira. While it was a winning formula in Hashemian’s final match, it remains to be seen if this tactical structure will be maintained under the returning manager’s leadership.