"We must try to improve every day as we have not yet reached the level where we can compare ourselves with the first level of world football,” said Pioli, who opted to field a vastly different line-up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran not even in the matchday squad.

"Both teams played very well and with quality, and I am satisfied with my team's performance.” 

The stalemate means a nervous wait for Persepolis, who ended the day in eighth place but will be overtaken by Esteghlal FC if their Islamic Republic of Iran rivals avoid defeat against Al Rayyan SC of Qatar on Tuesday but head coach Ismail Kartal said he could not fault his players.  

"My players fought very well for this match and we had good opportunities to win the game,” said Kartal. “I would like to thank the great Persepolis fans for their great support. The balance of the game went out the window in the second half and both had scoring opportunities.

"We tried our best to win because we needed to win. My players were really great and we wanted to win and make them happy, but it didn't work out.”