Window Closed, Team Had No Choice But to Win/ Bayani: Sohrab Is Esteghlal's Trump Card

Esteghlal defeated Qatar's Al-Gharafa 2-1. The performance of Esteghlal's young players and Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh's role in the team's mental preparation were among the points highlighted by Shahrokh Bayani.

According to "Varzeh Se", the former player of Esteghlal believes that the closing of the transfer window provided a mandatory opportunity to trust the youth, and this decision ended up being beneficial to Esteghlal. Bayani also examined the performance of the defensive line, Habib Farabbasi, and the change in Aref Agassi's condition.

Shahrukh Bayani said in a conversation with Sport Se Live about Esteghlal's victory against Al Gharafa: "Since the day Mr. Bakhtiarizadeh arrived, we had a chance when the windows were closed and the youths were able to play. These young men were the same last year, but the situation progressed in such a way that they got the game. "They knew there was no other player and there was no foreign player on the bench, that's why their motivation went up and they got better day by day."

He continued: "Our coaching staff, Mr. Bakhtiarizadeh and his assistants, worked very well with these young men mentally and psychologically, and we can see the results both in club matches and in the Asian Elite League."

Bayani considered the closing of the window as a "forced success" for independence and said: "I believe 100% that we should pay attention to the youth. Our youth have no shortage of foreign players. "Some foreign players who come to Iran do not have much motivation and play only for money."

The former Esteghlal player added about the role of Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh: "Sohrab is from the Esteghlal family. He is a national team player and a former player of Esteghlal and knows the conditions of this team very well. He himself was young and played in Esteghlal, so he knows how to treat the players, how to motivate them and how to motivate this shirt."

He emphasized: "I think Sohrab is the winner of independence in the current situation. No one imagined that Esteghlal in Asia could present such a beautiful game, that too with a few youngsters seeking a name. Sohrab has done really well and will have a good future."

Bayani said about Esteghlal's youth: "Gholizadeh, Razakinia and the 21, 22 and 23-year-old players show that Esteghlal has had a good transition. "The closing of the window made managers realize that these young people can help the team and bring Esteghlal to its original position."

He also said about Habib Farabbasi's performance: "Habib Farabbasi is one of our best. When he entered Esteghlal with motivation and there was no foreign player in this position, his motivation increased and his stress was less. That's why he was able to play good games."

In response to the possibility of Alireza Biranvand's presence in Esteghlal, Bayani said: "Biranvand is our first football goalkeeper and the goalkeeper of the national team, and he is considered a very good goalkeeper, but in the current situation where he has been in the army for two years, we have to trust our goalkeeper and continue with him. If Biranvand comes to Esteghlal after his military service, he is a very good player and can help."

He said about the conditions for the success of such a transfer: "Beiranund is an experienced player, but the young goalkeeper needs time to gain experience." A player who wants to come to Esteghlal or Persepolis must like this shirt. If the player does not like the shirt, it is better not to come. I myself went to Persepolis for one season because of stubbornness and then I realized that Esteghlal fans were bored with me. "I tell this experience to the players that they should not take players from the rival team as much as possible."

Bayani went on to discuss the performance of Esteghlal's defensive line and said: "In my opinion, Agassi's problem was Sapinto. A player may make a mistake, but the coach must be able to bring his spirit back. "Sapinto didn't do that and destroyed a football season for this player, while Agassi could have played even in the World Cup."

The former Esteghlal player added: "Our defense line has played great. Sohrab himself played in the defensive line and was able to analyze and coordinate his team well. Agassi is one of the best central defenders in our football. He has a high speed and today the big teams in the world need such defenders. "He can help the national team."