Rewritten Title:
Sá Pinto’s Pursuit of Esteghlal Talent Sparks Post-Match Tensions
Article Content:
A Spirited Defeat and a Controversial Aftermath
In a recent Persian Gulf Pro League match, Aluminium Arak’s team manager, Ruhollah Asgari, stated that his team was not outclassed by the “great team” of Esteghlal. Despite the loss, Asgari emphasized that his squad played superior football at times during the match and remains hopeful, built on its existing capabilities. He noted the inherent difficulty of the league, where teams can shift several places in the standings with a single victory or defeat.
Allegations of Sideline Insults
The match was not without controversy. Asgari revealed that a significant flashpoint occurred early on when a member of Esteghlal’s coaching staff, an assistant to Portuguese head coach Ricardo Sá Pinto, allegedly insulted the Aluminium bench. This incident reportedly caused tensions to flare on Aluminium’s side. The matter was formally reported to the fourth official, who assured that appropriate action would be taken if any verbal abuse was confirmed.
Internal Club Matters Addressed
When questioned about internal discussions concerning head coach Mojtaba Hosseini’s reported opposition to hosting the Tehran derby in Arak, Asgari deferred to the club’s management. He stressed the unity within the team, asserting that any potential issues would be resolved internally and would not escalate into a challenge for the club.
Criticism of Professional Conduct
Asgari reserved his strongest criticism for the conduct of Esteghlal’s foreign coaching staff, directly challenging the notion of their universal professionalism. He recounted a past incident from three seasons ago where Sá Pinto was alleged to have approached a then-Aluminium player, Hansel Zapata, during a match to express admiration for his style and invite him to join Esteghlal.
“The managers of the Esteghlal club must consider the unprofessional actions of their own coach,” Asgari stated. He further highlighted a recent event where Esteghlal’s goalkeeper coach reportedly waited outside the Aluminium dressing room after the match to relay that Sá Pinto wished to speak with Aluminium’s national team goalkeeper, Mohammad Khalifeh. “In which professional team do you see such a thing?!” Asgari concluded, underscoring his disapproval of the approach.