Persepolis FC is a club based in Iran. And now they have a big challenge to open the group stage to take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr side. Last season, Persepolis lifted their domestic league title, which is the Persian Gulf Pro League, and will now focus on their continental Group E fixtures.
The main mistake of home Persepolis will be the goalkeeper of the first team Alireza Beiranvand.
Beiranvand was withdrawn in the 23rd minute of the Iran national football team’s match against Bulgaria during the September international break due to injury. Midfielder Alireza Enayatzadeh and striker Alireza Khodadadi are also sidelined and manager Yahya Golmohammadi will have to do without them.
For visiting Al Nassr, the return of goalkeeper David Ospina is still questionable after the elbow injury he suffered in January. In the wing positions, only new summer signing Seko Fofana will be sidelined as all other players are up for selection for Portuguese manager Luis Castro’s upcoming game.
Persepolis predicted lineup (4-4-2):
Rafiei (GK); Nemati, Kanaanizadegan, Esmaeilifar, Pouraliganji; Amiri, Rigi, Sarlak, Omri; Torabi, Sadeghi
Al Nassr predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Alaqidi (GK); Telles, Laporte, Alawjami, Al Ghanam; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Ghareeb, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo