2021 ACL: Persepolis Eager to Maintain Its Form in Continental Showpiece

Persepolis and Al-Wahda from United Arab Emirates will both be aiming to lay down a marker when they face off in their Group E opener on Wednesday.

Persepolis, having lost the 2018 and 2020 AFC Champions League finals, will be aiming for the title while Al-Wahda will be out to make up for a lost opportunity after having been forced to withdraw from last year's competition by a COVID-19 outbreak in their squad.

In what is a tight race in the Iran Pro League, Persepolis has only lost only one game against 11 wins and eight draws.

Persepolis hold a better head to head record, with the Iranian club winning twice in 2017, while Al-Wahda's last victory against the team was back in 2011.

Henk Ten Cate’s Al-Wahda will be eager to make a statement after missing out on last year’s showpiece, having reached the Round of 16 before eventually losing to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr in 2019.

The Abu Dhabi based outfit will be making its 12th appearance in the AFC Champions League with Ten Cate returning to the helm, having coach the club during in 2018/19 season.

Al-Wahda showed impressive fortitude when it came from behind to edge Al-Zawraa in the playoff last week to seal a group stage berth and will be hoping to maintain the momentum against Persepolis.

The match will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India.