TEHRAN - Persepolis and Esteghlal, two of Iran's most decorated football clubs, have faced a disappointing start to their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 campaigns. Despite their domestic dominance in recent years, both teams have struggled to replicate their form on the continental stage, raising serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level of Asian club football.

Persepolis, who had shown promise in their opening match against Al-Ahli, failed to capitalize on their early lead against Pakhtakor. Despite taking the lead within the first minute, the Iranian champions were pegged back by the Uzbek side and were fortunate to escape with a draw. The inability to maintain their early dominance and control the tempo of the game was a major concern.

Esteghlal, on the other hand, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Al Sadd, a result that exposed the vulnerabilities in their defense and the lack of creativity in their attacking play. The own goal was scored by their goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini and the penalty, which was awarded by Rouzbeh Cheshmi, highlighted the individual errors that have plagued the team in recent times.

While it's easy to blame the coaches for the teams' poor performances, the players must also shoulder a significant portion of the responsibility. The lack of intensity, poor decision-making, and inability to execute basic skills have been glaring weaknesses in both teams.

Persepolis players, accustomed to dominating the Iranian league, seem to lack the necessary mental fortitude to compete against the best teams in Asia. Their performance against Pakhtakor highlighted their inability to cope with the physicality and tactical acumen of their opponents.

Esteghlal, on the other hand, have been plagued by internal strife and a lack of leadership. The team's failure to compete as a unit and the individual errors of key players have contributed to their disappointing start to the campaign.

The performances of both Persepolis and Esteghlal have raised serious concerns about the state of Iranian club football. While the domestic league is highly competitive, the teams have struggled to translate that success to the continental stage. The lack of investment in youth development and the failure to attract top-quality foreign players have also hindered the progress of the Iranian clubs.