🔻Maziyar Zare, head coach of Malavan, said at a press conference before his team’s match against Persepolis: «Playing in Tehran has its own particular difficulties. Persepolis is one of the best-equipped teams in Iran and has a good coaching staff and players. With this team’s fans in attendance, we will have a tough match.»

🔹He, regarding the rumor about Alireza Beiranvand’s presence at Malavan to complete his military service, said: «I hear this matter from your words and no one has spoken to me about it. Beiranvand is a Tractor player, and such a discussion has not arisen for Malavan, nor has it been taken seriously; it is only media speculation.»

🔹Referring to Malavan’s financial situation, Zare said: «Every year our budget becomes smaller and we lose many players. Instead of making progress in recruiting players, we are going backward. However, we are forced to work with the existing conditions and build a team that can stay on its feet.»

🔹The Malavan head coach also said about using young players: «Every year I introduce at least three players from the youth teams. In the past five, six years, I have brought more than 15 players from the academy ranks into the first team. Using young players requires time, and they should be given opportunities in appropriate conditions, not that a team is three goals behind and we bring in a young player just to show him, as if to put him on the field.»

🔹He also said about Persepolis: «Persepolis was good in the first two weeks and in the third week it wasn’t bad either. They have many players and even their bench can play in the league. The coach has flexibility, and they also have an experienced coach. The nature of Persepolis’s football and Esteghlal’s is attacking, and Persepolis will definitely continue with this style going forward.»