In-form Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Avi Rikan spoke to reporters ahead if Monday’s big TASE Premier League clash between the league leaders and Maccabi Haifa, who are in second place in the standings, three points behind and said he was confident of a good result and a great occasion.
“We are feeling good, everything is in place and we want to win tomorrow. I am happy that I have been given a chance to prove myself and I want to succeed.
“Tomorrow will be a tactical challenge. The opening minutes will be important for both teams and Sammy Ofer stadium will be a great place for each side to test out the opposition.”
He said that there was every reason to think the match would be a memorable occasion, although regardless of the result, with so much of the season still remaining, even a win and a six-point gap at the top did not guarantee anything.
“Both clubs are in good form and many players are in good shape. The forwards and midfield work hard to help out the defenders. The midfield will be important to win the ball and we will need to be ready.”
“We want to take three points from the game. It will be a big stage and we want to be part of the occasion, but it is just three more points. Tomorrow’s game is very significant although we can’t be sure what will happen further down the line, we may lead by six points if we win but it does not guarantee anything for us.”
Rikan could not explain why Maccabi had been stronger in away fixtures than at home, although he did not think it made much of a difference for such a dominant club.
“It’s hard to say why we have dropped points at home. Bloomfield is an important place for us but we always want to win, no matter where we play.
“There is definitely a stir before the game, it will be good to be a part of this game but I’ll wait to see tomorrow’s lineup to see if I’m even included. It’s important for me to be a presence on the field, even if I don’t score or give assists, the club is very important to me and I’m working very hard.”
