Maccabi’s Greek coach Georgios Donis reacted to Friday’s EUROPA League draw which pitted his side against Spanish side Villarreal, Azerbaijan champions Qarabag and Turkish outfit Sivasspor.
The 50-year-old Greek who guided Apoel Nicosia to the Champions League group stage, qualified with Maccabi to the EUROPA League group stages for the 5th time in the past decade. Donis, who was sent off during Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League Playoff defeat to FC Salzburg, told the club’s official website after the draw: “After such a draw, my priority is not to say whether the draw is good or bad, but rather for the team to be in good shape after 20 days and to fight for every game. There is clearly one big club in our group, namely Villarreal, but the other two clubs are also quality sides. Qarabag is a very experienced side in Europe as they appeared in the Champions League group stage and they are a tough opponent. Sivasspor is a good side from Turkey which is a very good league and the fact they finished fifth in the table speaks volumes. I believe that this group, besides Villarreal which are the clear favourites – is very open”.
Veteran striker Etey Schechter added: “It is not an easy draw. A strong Spanish team – Villarreal, Qarabg and Sivvasspor. We will definitely have to do our homework and learn about our opposition. We all know who are the current favourites to win the group. We will prepare for all our matches. For the moment the EUROPA League match is our next official fixture and I hope that we will return to play in the Israeli league as soon as possible. I also hope that the entire Israeli football returns to action both for the rest of the players and the fans”.
On the opponents Maccabi face in group ‘I’: “Villarreal is a side Maccabi had met in the past. One can’t say that this is the most attractive draw we could have had, but, on the other hand we are facing some strong sides. We will arrive and do our maximum in order to try and qualify from the group. We will prepare our best for those matches which are far from simple”.
“Who did I dream of drawing? I wanted to be drawn in the group of Napoli and Read Sociedad. I wanted to play at Napoli’s stadium and also play against a Spanish side which is something I had never done before. A club like Villarreal is a big club with a terrific stadium and set of home fans. At the moment, there are no fans allowed in, but still we will have to be prepared to face a side which has a good record at home”.
