Cheshmi Steps Up with Armband, Tightens Esteghlal's Midfield / Esteghlal Lineup Announced with Several Notable Changes

Roozbeh Cheshmi, wearing the captain's armband, starts in Esteghlal's lineup against Al-Gharafa to give the Blues' midfield more solidity.

According to "Varzesh Se", Esteghlal's line-up for tonight's match against Qatar's Al-Gharafa was announced and Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh will once again enter the field with a three-back formation. The most important point of the composition of the Blues is the presence of Rouzbe Cheshmi in the heart of the midfield and the return of Jalaluddin Masharipov to the main team.

Habib Farabbasi will stand in the goal of Esteghlal and Rostam Ashurmatov, Saman Fallah and Aref Agassi will be the three central defenders of this team. Saleh Hardani on the right side and Hossein Gudarzi on the left wing are responsible for covering the sides of the field and adding to the attacks.

Amir Mohammad Rezakinia, along with Rozbe Cheshmi, forms the middle pair of Esteghlal. The presence of the captain of the Blues in this area has made Esteghlal's midfield belt tighter to deal with the technical midfielders of Al-Gharafa, and the Blues have more experience in the center of the field.

Jalaluddin Masharipov and Ismail Qolizadeh play ahead of these two midfielders and will be in charge of feeding Saeed Saharkhizan. Yaser Asani is not seen among the eleven main players after an ankle injury.

The composition of Esteghlal equal to Al-Gharafa is as follows:

Habib Farabbasi, Rostam Ashourmatov, Saman Fallah, Aref Agassi, Hossein Gudarzi, Saleh Hardani, Amirmohammed Razzakinia, Rozbe Cheshmi, Jalaluddin Masharipov, Ismail Qolizadeh, and Saeed Saharkhizan.