Tehrantimes - Persepolis head coach Branko Ivankovic stated that his team’s goals for this season is to win IPL (Iran Professional League) and Hazfi Cup title and have strong appearances in the Asian Champions League.

“I’m very excited ahead of the new season with Persepolis. We have had good preparation in pre-season camp but as you may know this is our toughest match. First game is always difficult and we need some time to get used to weekly completions,” Branko Ivankovic told in a pre-match press conference ahead of the first game of the IPL new season against Saipa.

“According to the statics Saipa is better than us. They took five points out of the possible six in the last season against us while these points cost us the title at the final week. But our biggest challenge against Saipa is their head coach Hossein Faraki who has won the Iran Professional League title with Sepahan and Foolad in the past. I have worked with him at Team Melli, he is a smart coach and he’s done a great job in any team he has worked,” he added.

“Winning the IPL and Hazfi Cup and a strong appearance in the Asian Champions League are our main goals for this season so we need to make a strong start in order to achieve them,” he added.

On the other hand, Saipa head coach Hossein Faraki believes his team could end up in the top four.

“I totally respect Branko as he’s my master and I have worked under him at Team Melli. I’ve won the league title twice before and now the expectations are high. Saipa has ranked in the mid-table in the last couple of year but we’re here in order to improve and at least book a place in the Asian Champions League,” Faraki told reporters.
Persepolis will take on Saipa in the first week of IPL on Monday at Tehran’s Takhti Stadium.