Preview
Maccabi returned to the TSC Arena in Backa Topola where they hosted the entire qualification campaign ahead of the first Europa League phase home match against Dinamo Zagreb. On the back of two 0-0 draws away to PAOK in Thessaloniki on MD1 and Bnei Sakhnin in the league, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways. But Zarko Lazetic’s which will aim to win the first three points of the league phase this season will have their work cut out for themselves as the match kicks off two hours after the Yom Kippur fast. With a large number of Maccabi’s squad observing the day of Atonement and holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Lazetic shuffled his side.
Roi Mishpati who was the man of the match during the draw in Athens last week, kept his place in goal. Ali Camara and Heitor were the two central defenders at the heart of Maccabi’s defense lining up in front of the 32-year-old custodian. Roy Revivo who wa suspended against Bnei Sakhnin returned to the side with Tyrese Asante completing Maccabi’s defensive line on the right. Issouf Sissokho and Ben Lederman were assigned to the midfield engine room with Kristijan Belic assigned to a more attacking role. Kervin Andrade and Helio Varela supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation in support of Saied Abu Farchi who at the age of 19 led the attack in what is his first European start and fifth appearance in all competitions this season.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Yoav Gerafi and Ofek Melika, Lazetic named Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Denny Gropper, YOnas Malede, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Itamar Noy, Itay Ben Hemo, Dor Peretz, Osher Davida and Ion Nicolaescu.
First Half
The cold weather conditions which welcomed both teams at the TSC Arena at Backa Topola must have had an effect o the start of the game as neither managed to cause any serious threat on goal. In the 14th minute however Maccabi that seemed to launch all its’ attacks from the right via Helio Varela, took the lead. Varela received the ball deep inside Dinamo Zagreb’s half and squared it to Ben Lederman who slipped it for Saied Abu Farchi. The 19-year-old striker who raced into the box managed to get the slightest of touches to squeeze his shot under the advancing keeper Ivan Nevistic and roll in to put Maccabi in front. It didn’t take the visitors too long to get back on level terms as Dinamo equalized two minutes later.
Josip Misic carved Maccabi’s defense open with a through ball to Mateo Lisica who blasted a right foot shot into the top corner giving Roi Mishpati no chance. Dinamo completed their comeback in the 19th minute as Moris Valincic broke into the box from the right and squared to Dejan Ljubicic who turned and found the bottom corner between Mishpati and the post to make it 2-1. Dinamo continued their good spell and almost scored a third on 25 as Aber Hoxha skipped past Tyrese Asante before cutting inside and curling a dangerous shot which narrowly missed the target.
Maccabi continued to look dangerous on the right as Varela’s bursting skill and pace took him past Bruno Goda right on the hour mark but his attempt of a square ball was blocked by Dinamo’s defense for a corner which was cleared.
Dinamo kept moving the ball around trying to find another opening but the midfield trio of Kristijan Belic, Lederman and Issouf Sissokho managed to handle everything the Croatians threw at them. In defense, Heitor, Ali Camara and Roy Revivo were able to keep the visitors from having another go at Mishpati’s goal before the halftime whistle was heard.
Second Half
With no changes to either side at halftime both sides return to the pitch for the second period in a bid to try and score more goals. Two minutes after the hour mark Kervin Andrade had a sight of goal but his right foot effort from the edge of the area sailed wide. A minute later Lazetic made a triple change as Raz Shlomo came on for Heitor, Dor Peretz replaced Lederman and Osher Davida replaced Abu Farchi. Peretz was making his 400th appearance in all competitions and 81st in Europe moving to three appearances behind record holder Sheran Yeini.
Within a minute Mishpati was at full stretch to push out Beljo’s powerful right foot drive before collecting another shot by the Zagreb striker in the 66th minute. Two minutes later Lazetic made his fourth substitution of the game adding a fresh pair of legs Sagiv Jehezkel replaced Varela. But in the 72nd minute a Zagreb counter attack left Dejan Ljubicic in acres of space before he picked his spot and curled a right foot shot beyond the reach of Mishpati to score his second on the night and Dinamo’s third.
Elad Madmon replaced the tired Revivo in the 78th minute as Lazetic made his fifth and final change for the closing stages. Andrade had another shot on goal in the 84th minute but once again the Venezuelan winger couldn’t get his shot on target. In the 88th minute Madmon’s powerful right foot shot threatened to cut the deficit but forced Nevisitic to save before keeping out a Jehezkel shot a minute later.
