Title: Esteghlal’s Resurgence: Former Star Outlines Path to Championship Glory
Tehran – In an exclusive analysis, former Esteghlal striker Mohsen Garousi has dissected the team’s recent revival, highlighting a crucial victory and expressing strong confidence in the club’s potential to compete for top honors this season.
A Turning Point in Kerman
Garousi pinpointed the team’s recent match against Mes Kerman as a pivotal moment. “Before the match with Mes, our condition was not good, and the team was not performing well,” he stated. However, he described a dramatic turnaround, noting that the squad delivered a “flawless” performance in every aspect of the game.
He specifically praised the defensive line, which operated “without error for the first time in a long while,” crediting the positive impact of players Ashurmatov and Fallah. In attack, Garousi highlighted the team’s “tactical variety” and the numerous scoring opportunities created.
Confidence for Asian Champions League Challenge
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Al-Wehdat in the secondary Asian Champions League, Garousi was optimistic but cautious. “I believe if we play like we did against Mes, we can defeat Al-Wehdat,” he asserted. “This is on the condition that the players do not become overconfident and remain true to themselves.”
Emphasizing the importance of a home victory, he added, “We need the three points from this game. We must win on our home turf to continue through the league and Champions League with higher morale.”
Leadership and Long-Term Prospects
Garousi reserved significant praise for coach Sapianto, whose passion and charisma he identified as key assets. He recounted a moment in the Mes match where Sapianto’s immediate encouragement of a player after a key defensive action significantly boosted morale.
“Perhaps if he had been with the team from the start of the season, the results would have been different,” Garousi reflected. “Maybe some of his early decisions were not correct, but under the current circumstances, the management made the best decision to keep him. I have faith in him and his abilities. Sapianto can guide Esteghlal back to the path of success.”
He further reinforced his belief in the squad, stating, “We are gradually improving, and we can be hopeful about the team we have. Time has proven that this team will be a main contender for the championship in all three competitions.”
The Road to Advancement
When questioned about Esteghlal’s chances of advancing from its group, the former star advocated for a focused, game-by-game approach. “We cannot speak definitively about anything. Our duty is to enter every match aiming for victory,” he remarked.
He identified the home fixture against Al-Wasl as the primary challenge, suggesting that a win there would pave the way for advancement. While confident that defeating Al-Wehdat is achievable, he concluded with a note of caution: “We must be careful not to underestimate any opponent.”