“After leading by four goals in the first half, we started playing at a lower pace in the second half, and there is no team that plays 90 minutes at a high pace except on the PlayStation. 

“I remember that since I joined the team, we have only lost three matches. All the players are equally important to me,” said Jesus, whose side face UAE’s Al Wasl in two weeks to conclude their League Stage campaign. 

Persepolis head coach Ismail Kartal admitted his team struggled against Al Hilal's quality, especially in the first half.

“In the first half, we couldn't play as we wanted. Every ball that came into our area was dangerous, and we conceded goals. The team dropped mentally, and we had three, four players injured. 

“We made some changes and altered the system in the second half. The players played with more confidence, and we didn’t make as many individual mistakes.

The defeat meant the Islamic Republic of Iran side fell out of the qualification spots and will need a win to keep their hopes alive when they face Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club in their final League Stage match.