Title: Persepolis Manager Ousmar Viera Seeks Reliable Backup Goalkeeper Amid Training Concerns
Headline: A Search for Security Between the Posts
The technical staff of Persepolis Football Club, led by head coach Ousmar Viera, has intensified its search for a dependable second-choice goalkeeper. This initiative comes as a key measure to bolster the team’s defensive lineup and ensure robust performance standards are maintained throughout the squad.
Training Session Highlights Depth Concerns
A recent Persepolis training session, conducted in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Peyam Niazmand and fellow player Mohammad Gandomi, brought the issue into sharp focus. With Amirreza Rafiei as the only senior goalkeeper available for the practice, the technical team found it necessary to call up a goalkeeper from the club’s youth academy to participate. This move underscored the current shortage of experienced goalkeepers in the senior team’s roster.
Coach Viera’s Dissatisfaction Evident
During an intra-squad practice match, the performance of the defensive line, with Rafiei in goal, reportedly drew clear and direct criticism from Head Coach Ousmar Viera. It is understood that the coach expressed significant dissatisfaction with the number of goals conceded during the drill, issuing a firm reprimand to Rafiei regarding his performance. Sources close to the team suggest that Viera had previously confided in his Iranian assistants, stating he had not expected Rafiei’s form to decline compared to his earlier tenure with the club.
A Proactive Approach to Squad Management
This incident has seemingly accelerated the management’s plans to find a competent and reliable understudy for Peyam Niazmand. The search for a qualified second goalkeeper is now a clear priority for the club’s technical department, reflecting a proactive strategy to strengthen the team’s foundation and address potential vulnerabilities well in advance of critical fixtures.