Tehran Derby 106 Arrives with Both Giants Back at Full Strength
It’s incredible how quickly things can change in football, and the build-up to Tehran Derby 106 is the perfect example. Just a month ago, neither Persepolis nor Esteghlal seemed anywhere near the form or confidence needed for such a high-stakes clash. Fans were anxious, critics were loud, and both teams appeared to be drifting through the early part of the season. But now, almost out of nowhere, both sides arrive in Arak looking energized, balanced, and ready to reignite one of Asia’s most electrifying rivalries.
This Friday at IRALCO Stadium, the derby isn’t just another match — it feels like a revival story for both clubs. In Week 11 of the Persian Gulf Pro League, Persepolis battled through a tough 2–1 win against Shams Azar, while Esteghlal edged Foolad with a narrow 1–0 victory. Those results didn’t just add points to the table — they injected belief back into the squads and their supporters.
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For Persepolis, the turning point was dramatic. Under Vahid Hashemian, the Reds struggled to find rhythm or identity. Seven matches in, they had managed only one win, and the draw-heavy start drained the team’s confidence so much that fans were almost relieved there was time before the derby. Even beating Zob Ahan couldn’t save Hashemian’s job, and the club made a decisive change after Week 8.
Then came Osmar Loss Vieira — a familiar name with a winning history at Persepolis. His return instantly shifted the energy. The team tightened up, moved with more purpose, and suddenly began playing like contenders again. A draw followed by back-to-back wins lifted Persepolis to second place with 18 points, just one behind Esteghlal, though with an extra match played. The anxiety surrounding the derby was replaced with excitement. Supporters are now counting down to kickoff with renewed optimism.
Esteghlal’s story has been just as dramatic. Ricardo Sá Pinto started strong with a win over champions Tractor but soon found himself under pressure as the team slipped into a string of draws and a lone defeat. With fans and media questioning his future, it was Week 7 that changed everything. A gritty victory over Mes Rafsanjan sparked a four-match winning streak that propelled Esteghlal back to the top of the table with 19 points. Though consistency is still a work in progress, their habit of grinding out wins — helped by foreign talents like Munir El Haddadi and Yaser Asani — has returned at exactly the right time.
Even the officiating team for the derby has been confirmed, with Vahid Kazemi selected as the referee, adding one more layer of anticipation to the clash.
So now, as Friday approaches, both Persepolis and Esteghlal are stepping into Derby 106 not as wounded giants but as fully recharged forces. Momentum is on their side, confidence has been restored, and once again, the Tehran derby promises the passion, tension, and intensity that make this rivalry one of the most iconic in world football.
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