Preview:
A week after the emphatic 4-1 victory away to Hapoel Be’ersheva that stretched their 100% league record, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first Tel Aviv derby of the 2026/27 season.
With nine points from the first three matches thanks to victories over Hapoel Jerusalem (5-2), Maccabi Haifa (3-1) and Be’ersheva (4-1), Kenny Miller’s side will aim to continue their goal spree against the arch city rivals. But while Maccabi has the best attacking record so far, they face the tightest defense in the league, as Hapoel have yet to concede a goal in their opening three league matches.
Miller made no changes to his starting line-up that looked so impressive at Turner stadium as Ofek Melika started in goal. James Tavernier who made his Maccabi debut at Be’ersheva started at right-back as the 34-year-old who played in 39 Old Firm derbies, received a first outing at Bloomfield for his first Tel Aviv derby. Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lined-up as the two central defenders while Noam Ben Harosh completed Maccai’s defense at left back.
After impressing on his return at Be’ersheva, Gabi Kanichowsky, returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first time since returning to the club, as the 29-year-old joined Issouf Sissokho in the engine room for his 7th Tel Aviv derby. Maccabi’s leading goal-scorer Dor Peretz who scored six league goals and 10 in all competitions this season, was named at the top of the midfield trio and led the team out with the captain’s armband. Helio Varela, who scored the opener and added an assist at Be’ersheva together with Osher Davida who scored against Maccabi Haifa in the previous match, kept their place on the wings. Ester Sokler, whose brace at Turner opened his domestic account will aim to continue his good run of form. On the bench, Miller named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Tyrese Asante, Dan Glazer, Elad Madmon, Itamar Noy, Hisham Layous, Ido Shahar, Itai Ben Hamo and Ilay Ben Simon.
A packed Bloomfield stadium welcomed both sets of players onto the pitch as the wall of sound and sea of colour supplied the perfect backdrop for the derby. Seconds after referee David Fuxman got the match underway a pyrotechnics display from both sections caused a delay of a few minutes. When the smoke finally cleared and play resumed Maccabi’s dominance down the flanks with Osher Davida and Helio Varela tested Hapoel’s defense. In the 19th minute Maccabi translated their dominance to break the deadlock and take the lead. Varela received the ball down the left and as Marcus Coco charged in to challenge the Cape Verde winger slipped the ball to Noam Ben Harosh. The full back who made the overlap run sent a perfect cross into the path of Ester whose initial header was saved by Asaf Tzur. But Dor Peretz anticipated the rebound as Maccabi’s captain sent a glancing header Hapoel’s keeper could do nothing to deny the 31-year old his 11th goal this season.
Three minutes after the half hour mark and Hapoel were level as a counter attack left Stav Toriel unmarked before his left foot shot crept between Ofek Melika and the post to equalise. Hapoel’s celebrations didn’t last long as three minutes later Maccabi were back in front. Sokler sent a diagonal ball towards the far post before Hapoel’s full back Doron Leidner let it run not knowing that Davida was right behind him. The 25-year-old blasted his shot into the opposite top corner to restore Maccabi’s lead. In the 44th minute Maccabi had the ball in the back of the net for the third time as Varela once again tore down the left and sent a cross which Davida nodded to Sokler who volleyed home. But VAR intervened, called Fuxman to the screen and the goal was scratched off. Shortly after the fourth official raised sign and signalled eight minutes of added time, Varela raced down the left and was charged down by Torial who picked his second booking and was shown the red card.
Second half:
With no changes to either side at the restart Maccabi began the second period where they finished the first – pressure on Hapoel in an attempt to increase the lead. Five minutes after the restart Gabi Kanichowsky picked the ball on the edge of Hapoel’s box, slipped it for Peretz whose effort was blocked by Andrian Kraev. Ben Harosh tried a shot on 57 but his right foot shot sailed high over the crossbar.
Miller made his first change five minutes after the hour mark as he Sokler came off while Elad Madmon was ready to come on. But Fuxman decided that 10 seconds had gone as he didn’t allow Madmon to come on for another minute. In the 74th minute Varela tried curling a shot from the corner of the area but Tzur stretched himself to palm the ball away.
Miller made two more changes on 76 as James Tavernier and Davida bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Tyrese Asante and Hisham Layous. Two minutes after his introduction Asante received the ball from Kanichowsky and unleashed a shot which was making it’s way under the crossbar but Tzur managed to turn it over. Maccabi secured the victory in the 88th minute as the two substitutes combined for the third. Madmon danced into the box before cutting the ball back for Layous who swept it home to make it 3-1. Kanichowsky came off to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Ido Shahar for the closing stages.
