TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran Professional League leaders Esteghlal are to meet holders Persepolis on Monday in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

“We will be prepared to battle with a desire to win because we know how important that game is going to be for both teams,” Fekri said.

“We know that so many people around the world will follow the match and we have to avoid being involved in the controversy. This is a sports competition and both teams will have to consider sportsmanship,” he added. Esteghlal is going to end their eight-years title drought. The win in the match will cement their place at top of the IPL table.

“We don’t want to lose the match but will not play not to lose. We will do our best and play calmly to defeat Persepolis. Persepolis plays attacking football and we have to control the match at the first minutes of the game,’ Fekri went on to say.

“Esteghlal will play logically on Monday and I hope we will be happy at the end of the day. We want to make our fans happy,” Fekri concluded.

Titleholders Persepolis is scheduled to meet Iran Professional League leaders Esteghlal on Monday in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Persepolis has not won a single match after losing to Ulsan Hyundai on Dec. 19 in the final match of the 2020 AFC Champions League.

“To win the match is important but we are not allowed to defeat our opponents on any coast. We have to respect our rivals and the players must concentrate on the match. They have to fight for three points as a soldier,” Golmohammadi said.

“Persepolis and Esteghlal are the great teams with millions of fans and so many people have memories of their teams’ encounters. I have told my players the first important thing is to respect the opponent and they are not allowed to use social media to ridicule the other teams. It’s worthless and cannot change anything,” the ex-Iran defender added.

Persepolis has been held against Nassaji, Zob Ahan, and Sepahan in their past three matches in the league. Golmohammadi says they want to start winning from the Esteghlal match.

“We have to prove that Persepolis is a great club. We want to start our winning way from the Esteghlal match. We could have won our previous match but our players missed their chances. Now, we have learned from the matches and the derby could be a turning point for us,” Golmohammadi stated.

“Persepolis wants to win the title for the fifth successive time and important thing is to claim three points in the remaining matches. In the match against Esteghlal, our players have to capitalize on their opportunities and that’s what we need to do in this match,” he concluded.

The match has been scheduled for Monday in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

The 42-year-old coach will be assisted by Arman Assadi and Touraj Eyvaz Mohammadi, with Hassan Yousefi named as the fourth official.

The match will be 94 competitive meetings between the teams. Esteghlal has won 26, Persepolis 24, and the remaining 43 games finished as draws.

Esteghlal sits top of the Iran Professional League (IPL) and a win against their archrivals will help the Blues cement their places at the top.

IPL holders Persepolis have not won a single match after losing to Ulsan Hyundai on Dec. 19 in the final match of the 2020 AFC Champions League.