According to "Varzesh 3", Sepahan had planned to face Mes Shahr-e Babak in Isfahan on August 2nd during the final days of their pre-season preparation. The match was supposed to be Moharram Navidkia's final opportunity to test his squad before the start of the league, but it was canceled without an official reason, and Mes members headed to Tabriz instead of traveling to Isfahan to continue their preparation with a match against Tractor.
At that time, the two teams could test various formations and plans without the pressure of the result. Navidkia was still getting to know his new players, and Ghasem Shahba was also preparing a team experiencing its first presence in the Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League. The cancellation of that match meant the two teams gained no direct understanding of each other, postponing their first encounter to the tenth week of the league.
Now circumstances are very different from the summer. Sepahan needs three points to get closer to the top of the table, and last week's draw against Shams Azar has increased the importance of this home match against Mes. On the other hand, Shahba's team, after spending a few weeks in the Pro League, is no longer the unknown side of the preparation days, and Sepahan's coaching staff has more examples of official matches available to study them.
That friendly match could have been an opportunity to discover Mes's weaknesses, but Navidkia must now find a way past the opponent's defensive structure without the experience of a direct encounter. Following their recent defeat against Persepolis, Mes arrives at Naghsh-e Jahan with greater caution, and Sepahan well knows that playing against a team leaving little space in its own half can turn into a difficult test.
The match whose result was supposed to have no bearing on the standings has now gained immense importance for both sides. The canceled summer fixture between Sepahan and Mes will finally be held on Sunday evening at Naghsh-e Jahan, but this time there will be no numerous substitutions or pre-season tests. Every decision made by Moharram Navidkia and Ghasem Shahba could determine the fate of the three points.
Source: Varzesh 3
