Avi Rikan joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in time to play in the pair of games against Viktoria Plzen during Champions League qualifying. Little did he know that just a bit over a month later he would be playing in the group stages of the illustrious competition and taking to the pitch in England against the Premier League Champs, Chelsea. It’s been a whirlwind for one of Maccabi’s news stars as Rikan talks about coming back to play in Israel, the Champions league and more:

Q: Why did you decide to come back and play in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv?

“I had to make a decision as to where I would play and where I could also continue to advance and improve. I received offers both in Switzerland and other places in Europe. You know a player has to weigh his options and also look at what type of place can help him as well. I made my choice and I don’t regret it.”

Q: How did you feel when you went onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea?

“Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge I entered some sort of bubble. I tried to disconnect from all of the excitement and the experience in order to perform the best that I could on the pitch, but it’s hard to disconnect from such an amazing atmosphere, the Champions League anthem and the crowd. If Mourinho came over and asked us if this game was in Tel Aviv because of the terrific supporters this explains exactly what kind of feeling it was to be on the grandest stage. When I got home and I looked back at the whole experience, I realized how powerful it was.”

Q: You were able to quickly become part of the team?

I’ve been hearing that from the first day I arrived here. That’s just my character. When I got to Zurich I was given the captain’s armband after only two months with the club. Not the first but the second captain, they gave me the responsibility very quickly and I enjoy it, it’s fun for me. I think that it’s also fun for the guys.”

Short questions & answers:

Q: Tell us something that we don’t know about you?

“There’s not a lot. Unlike many players I don’t have any superstitions.”

Q: Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?

“As someone from Jerusalem, when you say Tel Aviv it’s pretty serious, but I’ve softened up a bit since I’ve gotten here. Now I live in Rishon Le’Zion so it’s somewhere in the middle.”

Q: The white, blue or yellow Maccabi Jersey?

“I think the yellow. Maccabi’s yellow, isn’t it? There all nice and I have all three at home. But I think for Maccabi, it’s got to be the yellow.”

Q: Defensive back or midfielder?

“Midfielder. I like to play as a midfielder. I like playing offense as I’m better on the attack than defensively. But if I’m needed to play as a defensive back, I’m there.”

Q: Which three friends would you invite to your Sukkah?

“If I had the option I would take all of them and with God’s help build a big enough Sukkah for everyone. But if I had to choose, then I’d first invite Eden Ben Basat who always puts a smile on my face. Barak Itzhaki, because he’s someone I really like even from when we played together with Beitar Jerusalem. The third would have to be winger Tal Ben Chaim”.