Shota Arveladze, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Head Coach addressed the media at the prematch press conference prior to the Matchday 15 Ligat Ha’Al contest at the Netanya Stadium on Saturday 18:15 against SC Ashdod. The Georgian boss spoke about plays who will be missing this Saturday, the fact that there are no easy games and what he sees in this week’s opponent:

“This is a team that wants to play and they are a club that passes the ball and may change a bit when they play away. They love to play football and have some good young players. They’ve also scored some nice goals with some passing from the wingers, but it’s up to us. I’d really like to see my Maccabi from the first two months. We will analyze things and show the boys how the other team can play, which we’ve doing a bit earlier now than before.”

No easy matches:

“We started the campaign on June 30 and none of the games we’ve played have been easy both in Europe and in Israel. We have to show our qualities and play together; all of us including those on the bench and we have to be able to show how good we are.”

Players missing:

“We have to replace Tal Ben Chaim who is out due to last week’s red card and it won’t be easy. But this will be a chance for another player. Each player wants to show that I’ve made mistakes and prove themselves. Oscar Scarione will not be available to start.”

Playing well and chasing the title:

“We just want to go and play. We had some good games in Europe and the supporters gave the players good energy. It may be easy to criticize the boys but we need everyone behind us. We know where Beer Sheva is and we know how much we can challenge them going forward. Before the game the gap is the same and afterwards it may change. We have to continue chasing them down and putting pressure on them.”

The player’s feelings:

“It’s not easy sometimes to understand what is really going on, some are more social and more talkative and some like to be alone. Those that are more open may share things with me or the other players, but at the end of the day this is a game and we have to unite and play for the jersey.”

January plans:

“We aren’t going to discuss any individual cases at this moment, but Maccabi always deals with ownership and we will never use or take advantage of other’s problems.”