Iran’s Esteghlal will face its compatriot Zob Ahan in the first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League Round of 16 in Isfahan on Tuesday.

Djeparov, who was part of the side that lifted the Hazfi Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 defeat of Khooneh be Khooneh, has praised Schaefer ahead of Zob Ahan match.

“Coach Winnie Schafer is a German, and his style of football reflects that,” Djeparov told the-AFC.

“He is a very tactical coach and we play a technical game with many combinations across the pitch.”

“He is also very good communicator; he talks with each player individually and helps us grow together as a team. You can see in our results the effect he has had,” he stated.