Title: High Stakes in Tehran: Esteghlal’s Crucial Encounter with Chadormalu
A Season on the Line
Esteghlal FC, one of Tehran’s premier football clubs, faces a pivotal moment in its season. With only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions and four defeats, the team is under immense pressure to secure a win against Chadormalu. This match is critical for the club to navigate away from its current challenging period and approach the upcoming FIFA break with much-needed confidence. The post-break schedule offers a potential lifeline, with three of their next four matches to be played in Tehran, providing a golden opportunity for Esteghlal to reverse their faltering start to the season.
The Coach’s Ultimatum
For head coach Ricardo Sá Pinto, this is a make-or-break fixture. Reports indicate he has received a clear ultimatum from the club’s management: only a victory against the Ardakan-based Chadormalu will secure his position. The pressure is compounded by Esteghlal’s poor historical record against this opponent. Last season, the Tehran giants failed to defeat Chadormalu in both of their league encounters, settling for two goalless draws and dropping four critical points.
A Familiar Foe, New Confrontation
Adding an intriguing layer to the narrative is Chadormalu’s manager, Saeed Akhbari. Having successfully led his team to promotion and maintained his role, Akhbari now prepares to face his third different Esteghlal head coach. His previous encounter with the club was against a team led by Farhad Majidi, meaning a showdown with Sá Pinto would mark the fourth distinct Esteghlal manager he has competed against, highlighting the turbulent sidelines of this particular rivalry.
Breaking the Hoodoo
Beyond the immediate pressure, a win would allow Esteghlal to shatter a significant historical spell. In the history of the Iranian Pro League, Esteghlal has managed to defeat 46 of the 48 different teams it has faced. Chadormalu remains one of only two clubs, alongside Kheybar Khorramabad, that Esteghlal has never beaten. A victory would not only provide crucial points but also see Chadormalu become the 47th team to fall to the capital club, breaking a long-standing hoodoo.
Projected Lineup
With key defender Ramin Rezaian confirmed to miss the match due to injury, Esteghlal’s probable starting eleven is anticipated as follows:
Habib Far Abbasi; Rustam Ashurmatov, Saman Fallah, Abolfazl Jalali, Saleh Hardani; Didier Ndong, Mehran Ahmadi, Monir Al-Haddadi; Alireza Koushki, Yaser Asani; Dakonam Nazon.