Resan Says Persepolis Fans Dream of Facing Bayern

In an interview with FIFA.com, Resan revealed how Persepolis became a force to be reckoned with in Iran and Asia. He also singled out the team’s former coach Branko Ivankovic for his vital contribution to this success.

“Credit must go to coach Branko, who built a team with a champion mentality,” Resan said. “Despite not having the most gifted individuals and losing key players over the last four years, the team never let this affect performances. Even this year the coach debuted five new players in the Champions League, which proves just how strong the squad is.”

Having lost the 2018 final and exited last year’s edition at the group stage, Persepolis’s campaign this year seemed to have ended prematurely after the tournament was suspended for nearly seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking of the team’s disappointment two years ago, Resan said: “We wanted to win the title in 2018, but luck wasn’t on our side.”

Asked about the difficulties his side had faced en route to this year’s final, he explained: “We’ve had a tough campaign and making the final has not been easy, particularly after starting badly and picking up only one point from our first two games.

“Things changed for the better after it was decided to play all the knockout games in Qatar. We turned things around despite going up against very strong sides from West Asia. Having to play a match every three days was very difficult too, but we’re now one game away from being crowned Asian champions.”

Resan and his team-mates will face a real test when they take on Ulsan, the only unbeaten side in a campaign that saw them eliminate East Zone favorites Vissel Kobe of Japan in the semi-final.

“Ulsan is a very good and tough team,” he said. "We watched its game against Vissel, who came close to winning, but it spurned a lot of chances and Ulsan managed to prevail.”

“Like all East Asian teams, Ulsan has players with pace, strength and tactical discipline, and it’s certainly not in the final because of luck. The decider will be difficult because it will be settled over one 90-minute game, and the team that makes fewest mistakes will win.”

As well as being crowned continental champions, the winners will represent Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™, something Resan feels will motivate his side even more in its quest for the title.

“Playing at the Club World Cup is an additional incentive for both teams and especially for us,” said the player who will celebrate his 24th birthday just three days after the Champions League final. “It would give us a great opportunity to play against big sides like Bayern Munich and face global stars, something our fans dream of.”