Title: Esteghlal Coach Addresses Team Focus and League Integrity Ahead of Crucial Match
In a press conference ahead of their match, Esteghlal FC’s head coach, Ricardo Sá Pinto, outlined his team’s ambitions and addressed key challenges facing the club.
Aiming for the Top
Esteghlal is set to host Foolad Khuzestan in Tehran this Sunday in the eleventh week of the Iran Pro League. Coach Sá Pinto acknowledged the strength of their opponents but was clear about his team’s objective. “Foolad is a good and organized team with an experienced coach,” he stated. “As always, it will not be an easy game, and our goal is to earn three points, which is very important for us to reach the top of the table.” He expressed hope for strong fan support and better pitch conditions than in the previous match.
Navigating Challenges
The coach provided updates on several pressing issues. Regarding player injuries, he confirmed that Monir Haddadi’s status for the upcoming game remains uncertain. Sá Pinto also commented on the significant challenge of air pollution, noting, “Pollution is bad for everyone, and we feel it in games and training. Some players even had difficulty breathing.” He emphasized that decisions on such matters rest with the league organization, underscoring that the situation is not beneficial for anyone’s health.
Confidence in the Squad and Defensive Cohesion
When asked about the team’s goalkeeping situation, Sá Pinto expressed confidence in both his options, Antonio Adán and Farabbasi. He defended Adán’s recent performance, shifting responsibility for conceded goals to the defensive line. “The goal that Adán conceded was the defensive line’s responsibility. In my opinion, we shouldn’t have conceded those recent goals, but the defensive line must also help him,” he explained, adding that he hopes for a clean sheet in the upcoming fixture.
A Call for Sporting Integrity
A significant portion of Sá Pinto’s remarks focused on the importance of fair play and refereeing standards in the league. He expressed a strong hope for serious and high-quality officiating. Referring to a recent match involving a rival team, he stated, “What I saw in yesterday’s Persepolis game was very hard to believe.” He further elaborated, “The federation must be serious in this matter and in refereeing because the team with the better performance should become champion. We don’t want them to do us any big favors, but they shouldn’t have given that gift yesterday.”
The Portuguese coach stressed that his team has also faced unfair decisions earlier in the season. “Yesterday’s incident concerned me a bit, and I hope the federation also becomes aware. We are looking for correctness and honesty,” he concluded on the matter.
Maintaining Focus Amidst External Pressure
Sá Pinto emphasized that his sole priority is the imminent match against Foolad, warning his players that a lack of focus would have consequences. “It will be a tough game; they are a motivated team looking to improve their position in the table,” he noted.
He also addressed managing team dynamics and external pressures, particularly with the city derby on the horizon. “In recent weeks, some have tried to interfere with our group because they do not want us to be successful,” he revealed. “Many things have happened, but the players have high concentration, and we will not let anyone interfere. Our train is moving very fast, and they cannot stop it.” He acknowledged that some players are dissatisfied due to a lack of playing time but affirmed that mutual respect is maintained within the squad.
Finally, when asked about his tactical approach and his rivalry with Foolad’s manager, Yahya Golmohammadi, Sá Pinto downplayed the personal aspect. “I am not against him; it is Esteghlal against Foolad. There is respect between the coaches, and we both want to have the best performance. For now, we are focused,” he said, redirecting the attention to the upcoming sporting contest.