Gal Alberman: “Hello everyone! I know that you asked me a bunch of questions on the Official Maccabi Tel Aviv Facebook Page and I’m here to answer some of them.”

Do you think that you’ve found an heir apparent for your midfield position?

“I haven’t found someone to take my position just yet as I want to continue playing for many more years to come. I do think that there is an exceptional young player coming in through the ranks in Dor Peretz. He has many qualities to be able to play this specific position and I really believe in him. I’m here to help him as much as possible to succeed in this role.”

Have you thought about a coaching career in the future and will it be with Maccabi?

“I finished a coaching course but I haven’t decided what type of role I want to take on in the future. Football is a part of my life and I can’t see myself leaving it when I finish my playing career. With regards to Maccabi I really don’t know. I’d be happy to be a part of the club as I’m very connected to it. But one never knows where we will be in the future.”

What  do you think of the fan’s song about you?

“I really like the fan’s song and I really feel their support. It helps motivate me along with all of the other players.”

If you weren’t a defensive midfielder what position would you want to play?

“I enjoy my role so much, so I’m not sure what position I’d play if not defensive midfielder and I’ve played it for many years. Most players would want to be a striker and score goals, but I’m one who likes to be in the middle of things right smack dab in the center of the pitch. That way I can help out all of my teammates and begin an attack and pass the ball. I love it.”

In order for Maccabi to win the league title, the team will probably need to win the rest of their matches. Beer Sheva looks like they won’t lose points, so do you believe that you can put together such a streak?

“We try to cut into their lead week to week, but we always have to do our job first and only concern ourselves with them afterwards. The bottom line is, even if they drop points and if we don’t do what we need to, then the gap won’t change anyways. We have a match going into the playoffs and right now out short term goal is to make sure we take three points. If Beer Sheva drops points we’ll be happy too.”

Which coach or player was very influential for you?

“There are two. Guy Luzon promoted me to Maccabi Petach Tikva’s first team and he coached me both in the youth department and on the first team for a number of years. He really believed in me and I don’t think I would be the player I am today without his support back then.

The second coach was Oscar Garcia. He came to Maccabi after a rough time for both me personally and the club as well. He came to the team and totally changed the style of play and moved me to a more defensive role, one that is a very important which I have now been playing over the course of the last four years.”

Who is your role model?

“In modern day football I’d say that Sergio Busquets is a player who plays the same role that I do and he is the best and most complete player at the position. He is one of the quiet leaders who is part of the Barcelona machine and plays very attractive football. Even though he is not one of the most famous players on the squad, he is one of the most important players in the system that they play. When I watch Barcelona matches I always keep an eye on him and I watch what he does when the ball is being controlled by the other team. It’s very interesting for me to see how he plays and even at my age it’s very important for me to continue to learn and improve.”

Thanks for all of the questions, they were great! I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the stadium.