Maccabi will continue its European campaign on Thursday with a trip to Switzerland for the first leg of the Conference League play-off match against Lugano. Ahead of the important match we look at the numbers accompanying Maccabi into the play-off round.
15 out of 18: Maccabi back in the Play-Offs
The play-off round in UEFA’s European competitions was introduced in its current format in the 2009/10 season as the final round before the group stages, and later the league phase, of the various club competitions.
Of the 18 seasons in which the round has been played, Maccabi reached this stage 15 times, including this season.
That is the highest number of appearances among the seven Israeli clubs that have reached the Play-Off round of one of the European competitions.
Prior to this season, Maccabi participated in 14 different Play-Off ties across all three competitions.
The road to the next stage
Maccabi appeared in the Champions League play-off twice with the most memorable one played in the 2015/16 season. A dramatic match at the St Jacobs stadium in Basel saw Maccabi clinch a 2-2 draw in Switzerland before a 1-1 draw in the return leg at Bloomfield secured qualification to the Champions League group stage.
Over the years Maccabi gained a lot of experience in the Europa League Play-offs. On six occasions Maccabi successfully navigated the round and advanced to the group or league phase of the competition. In the 2013/14 season, Maccabi advanced without playing a match after their Ukrainian opponents were expelled from the competition.
On the other hand, Maccabi’s European campaign ended in the Europa League Play-Offs on three occasions: against Paris Saint-Germain (10/11), Asteras Tripolis (14/15), and Sarpsborg (18/19).
What about the Conference League?
This will be Maccabi’s fourth appearance in the Conference League Play-Offs. On the first two occasions, Maccabi successfully advanced, overseeing Shakhter Karagandy (21/22) and Celje (23/24).
The only time Maccabi were eliminated in the Conference League Play-Offs was by French side Nice (22/23).
Zahavi on top, Yeini the appearance record-holder
Twenty-seven Maccabi players managed to score goals during the play-off matches over the years.
Eran Zahavi leads the goalscorers chart, with seven goals in the play-off round, making him Maccabi’s all-time leading scorer at this stage of European competition.
In terms of appearances, former captain Sheran Yeini made 15 appearances in Play-Off matches, more than any other player in Maccabi history.
Of the current squad, Dor Peretz stands out as the 31-year-old is ranked fourth on the club’s all-time appearance list in this stage, with 10 European play-off appearances.
5-1 and six historic minutes
The highest victory in the Play-Off round was recorded two years ago in the Europa league in the 24/25 season. Maccabi beat Serbian side Bačka Topola 5-1 with Henry Addo scoring a brace, while Tyrese Asante, Dor Turgeman and Ido Shahar were also on target. Addo scored the opener of the match that entered the club’s history books as his goal was in the second minute, becoming Maccabi’s fastest-ever goal in European competition.
Four minutes later, Addo doubled his tally to score the fastest brace by a Maccabi player in the club’s history in all competitions.
Facing a Swiss opponent once again
Lugano will be the third Swiss opponent Maccabi have faced in their European history.
To date, Maccabi played eight matches against Swiss clubs, six against Basel and two against Grasshoppers. Maccabi have yet to beat a Swiss opponent, recording five draws and three defeats.
However, one of the most memorable and important ties in the club’s history came against a team from Switzerland.
In the 2015/16 Champions League play-offs, Maccabi drew 2-2 with Basel in Switzerland and 1-1 in the return leg. Those results sent Maccabi through to the Champions League group stage on away goals, a rule that was in effect at the time.
Lugano already familiar with Israeli opposition
For Lugano, facing an Israeli club is not new. The Swiss side previously faced Hapoel Be’ersheva twice in European competition. Lugano faced Be’ersheva in the Europa League group stage (17/18), and once in Conference League qualifying phase (22/23). Be’ersheva won three matches while Lugano won once.
Israel vs. Switzerland
Over the years, Israeli clubs played 16 matches against Swiss opposition, winning 3 matches, drawing 7 and losing 6 with a total goal tally of 21-16 in favor of the Swiss Clubs
On Thursday, Maccabi will look to improve both the Israeli record against Switzerland and, more importantly, take a significant step forward in their 15th European play-off tie on the road to another European campaign.
