Category: First Team

Maccabi and ISSTA Sport renew agreement

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Maccabi Tel Aviv FC signed an extension to its current partnership with specialist sports travel company ISSTA Sport. The partnership that began in 2017 will now run for the seventh season in succession and will see ISSTA continue to provide the Club with travel services, fly the team, the players and staff abroad to all its UEFA matches and trips over the coming season.

Since the start of the partnership and in particular during challenging times such as COVID and the recent Swords of Iron war, ISSTA has proved its ability to provide solid and reliable services of the highest quality. ISSTA Sport provides packages including scheduled or charter return flight travel, hotel accommodation, coach travel, airport transfers and other logistics services.

As part of the agreement, ISSTA Sport will continue offering Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters travel and official hospitality packages to the team’s official matches abroad.

Maccabi’s first European match of the 2024/25 campaign will be away to Steaua Bucharest on July 23rd. ISSTA Sport will fly the team to Romania and supply all the required services to ensure the team arrives prepared for the match.

ISSTA Sport CEO, Ido Veg said: “We’re absolutely delighted to extend our long-term partnership agreement with a great football club in Israel such as Maccabi Tel Aviv FC. We believe in the team’s ability to reach impressive achievements this season as well and will do everything we can to continue providing the best conditions for its’ success.”

Maccabi’s Commercial Director, Daniel Levy added: “We are very pleased to continue working with ISSTA Sport for the seventh season which speaks for itself. They are a true partner that meets the highest standards the Club has set in terms of its conduct. ISSTA Sport which is the leading travel provider in its’ sector, proves time after time their ability to face every task and the most challenging times whilst maintaining professional services of the highest quality. This season as well and despite the many challenges of disruption to international travel, we will try help our supporters join us for the team’s matches via flight packages ISSTA Sport would offer whilst maintaining the highest of standards.”

       

Maccabi left for Bucharest ahead of match against Steaua

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Maccabi Tel Aviv will begin on Tuesday (20:30) their European campaign as the face Romanian Champions FCSB Steaua Bucharest for the first leg of the Champions League 2nd qualifying round. Zarko Lazetic and his charges will face the Romanians at the 55,634 capacity National stadium in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Later today, Lazetic will face the local media for the pre-match press conference before holding the final practice session at the stadium.

You can find all the latest updates from Bucharest on the Club’s official website and App as well as on the social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Telegram. 

Maccabi could face Sparta Prague or Shamrock

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Before kicking off their two-legged tie against Romanian side Steaua Bucharest on Monday, Maccabi learned their potential opponents in the Champions League or EUROPA League. Maccabi could face the winner between Shamrock Rovers and Sparta Prague if they beat Steaua or drawn against Panevėžys or Jagiellonia Białystok in the EUROPA League.

Maccabi were drawn to face the winner between Republic of Ireland Champions Shamrock Rovers and their Czech Republic counterparts Sparta Prague in the Champions League third qualifying round. Zarko Lazetic’s side face FSCB Steaua Bucharest in the 2nd qualifying round with the first leg played in Bucharest on Tuesday while the return leg hosted in Budapest on July 31st.

The Champions League 3rd qualifying round first legs is scheduled for August 6th or 7th with the return leg set for August 13th.

The draw that took place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, included the EUROPA League 3rd qualifying round as well. In the event Maccabi are eliminated by the Romanians they will face the loser between Lithuania’s champions FK Panevėžys or their Polish counterparts Jagiellonia Białystok.

The Europa League 3rd qualifying round first leg is scheduled for August 8th with the return leg on August 15th.

Maccabi win Super Cup

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After an almost two months break reigning Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the opening match of the 2024/25 campaign – the Super Cup against State Cup holders Maccabi Petah Tikva.

 

Newly appointed Head coach, Zarko Lazetic, was given a chance to experience the Maccabi fans from close hand at a first competitive match with the first trophy of the season on offer.

Lazetic didn’t make too many changes from the side that played in the pre-season training camp in Poland with Raz Shlomo and Matan Baltaxa as the two central defenders lining up in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Idan Nachmias on the right and Ofir Davidzada on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive back-four. Just like last season Maccabi’s engine room was kept in tact with Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz as the midfield trio. Henry Addo and Dan Biton were the two wingers on both flanks with Eran Zahavi leading the line as well as the team out with the captain’s armband.

On the bench, Maccabi’s two new signings were Ofek Melika in goal and Tyrese Asante were named by Lazetic amongst the substitutes. Avishay Cohen, Matan Hozez, Nadav Niddam, Saied Abu Farchi, Shahar Rosen, Roy Nawi and Bar Lin also waited for their chance to make an impact.

The hot and humid weather conditions at Bloomfield stadium saw both teams start the match at a relatively slow pace. It took Maccabi 10 minutes to create the first chance as Dor Peretz’s square ball into the path of Eran Zahavi whose shot on target forced Petah Tikva’s keeper Marco Wolff to a double save. A minute later Ofir Davidzada sent a square ball across the face of goal with Peretz failing to connect. Maccabi’s blitz continued as the deadlock was finally broken in the 15th minute. Gabi Kanichowsky who looked lively right from the start slid the ball to Zahavi whose clinical right foot shot gave Wolff no chance to put Maccabi in front and open his account for the 2024/25 season.

In the 37th minute Petah Tikva’s striker Luka Stor charged from the halfway line but Roi Mishpati races off his goalline to block the effort and keep his goal sealed.

Inside injury time Biton dribbled into the box before cutting the ball back for Joris van Overeem whose shot from the edge of the area bobbled in front of Wolff who managed to clear before the halftime whistle sent both teams to recover in the dressing rooms.

With no changes after the break, Maccabi came close to double the score a minute after the restart as Raz Shlomo launched a long ball forward. Peretz timed his run to perfection and caught Petah Tikva’s defense flat before skipping past the advancing Wolff. But from a tight angle Peretz miscued his effort which crashed against the side netting.

Right on the hour mark, Lazetic, made a triple change as new signing Tyrese Asanate was handed his debut appearance replacing Idan Nachmias, Avishay Cohen replacing Biton while Henry Addo bowed out and was replaced by Matan Hozez. Lazetic’s substitutes made an immediate as a minute after his introduction Cohen raced for the entire length of the pitch but from almost point blank range couldn’t get a shot on target. A minute later the ball fell to Hozez inside the penalty box who pulled the trigger but saw his shot rocket into the stand.

In the 74th minute a spectacular move involving Zahavi, Hozez and Peretz carved Petah Tikva’s defence open but once again the 29-year-old midfielder couldn’t connect and the chance was wasted.

Lazetic made his fourth substitution in the 81st minute as Zahavi bowed out to a standing ovation and was replaced by Said Abu Farchi for the closing stages.

In the 84th minute Kanichowsky left two Petah Tikva players behind him as he broke into the box and cut the ball back for Peretz who flashed his snap shot agonisingly wide.

Inside injury time Lazetic made his fifth and final substitution introducing Nadav Niddam for Kanichowsky who came off to a standing ovation of his own.

Seconds later Niddam released Hozez with a perfectly timed pass before the winger fired home to double the score and sea the tie and the victory.

Peretz: “We have a coaching staff of the highest quality”

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The 29-year-old midfielder who scored 19 goals in all competitions last season said about the change of coaching staff which saw Zarko Lazetic take over from Robbie Keane. “Part of football is learning to adapt ourself quickly to situations, but I think we have a coaching staff of the highest quality with very high standards. The training camp helped us adapt ourselves to their demands as I think it is our target as players to adapt ourselves as quick as possible and move forward with the new staff.”

Peretz, who will be starting his 10th season at Maccabi’s senior side and has gained experience of such a transition over the years, added: “Every staff arrives with different demands. In typical Maccabi fashion this staff as well wishes to play attacking football with plenty of passion, high tempo, aggression. The high demands of this coaching staff would lead us and push us all season. It all starts tomorrow.”

 

After a short summer break that began on May 26th after the final match of last season against Maccabi Bnei Reineh, Peretz said: “There are plenty of energy and passion in the team. The coaching staff brings with them hunger and the players are responding really well. This is a combination which could work excellently together. It all begins tomorrow. I reckon that just like in training the principals are assimilated gradually. In every game one will see a team that understands better what the coaching staff wants and lets the advantages of all of us show.”

 

It is me and you Maccabi – the 2024/25 kit

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The 2024/25 season gets officially underway as Maccabi Tel Aviv and FILA are proud to launch the Champions’ new home kit for the coming season. Last season’s Championship that earned Maccabi a fifth star, was at the end of a highly complicated year, that highlighted the strong bond and great love between the club and the fans that follow the team on and off the pitch.

 

The Yellow color dominates the design of the home shirt as this year the sleeves and sides of the shirt will have a white trim. The logo of the Club’s new main sponsor – Pelephone 5G will feature on the front of the shirt after the leading cellular provider joined the Maccabi family on a three-year-deal.

Click here to buy the new kit for 24/25

Close to the heart one can find the crest of the most decorated club in Israel with five stars above it marking 25 league championships. The fifth new star will be embedded above the four stars. This season we chose to highlight the generations of fans who are the strength and power behind the club throughout its’ glorious history. On the back of the players’ shirts is a sentence taken from a famous fans’ song: “It is me and you Maccabi” which symbolizes the great love and strong connection each one of us feels towards the club. The team and the crest. 

CARGO, the delivery and distribution company will appear on the back of the shirts, while the shorts will feature the logo of KOPELL GROUP.

Besides the new home kit, our fourth shirt of the 2024/25 season in an Off-White color inspired by the iconic checkered shirt, receives a new fashionable trendy twist. The squares all have the Maccabi crest combined in both Blue and Off-White colors.

The official 2024/25 kits are already waiting for you at the NEW Maccabi ONLINE store as well as the flagship store at Bloomfield stadium. FOREVER members? Now is the time to remind you that whilst purchasing the kit at the ONLINE store you could use the NIS 100 voucher you received when joining the supporters club.            

 

 

Friendly: Maccabi beat Omonia 2-0

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Zarko Lazetic’s side that recorded two victories and a draw in three matches, will end their 10-day pre-season training camp in Poland and return to Israel ahead of Monday’s Super Cup against Maccabi Petah Tikva.

The Serbian coach made a single change from the side that was held to a 0-0 draw by Raków Częstochowa earlier this week as Dan Biton replaced Henry Addo on the wing.

Omonia had two goals disallowed by the Polish referee in the first half which ended goalless.

Lazetic made three changes after the interval as Matan Baltaxa replaced Avishay Chen with Idan Nachmias switching from central defense to right-back. Matan Hozez replaced Bar Lin on the wing while Eran Zahavi came on for Saied Abu Farhi upfront.

The changes gave Maccabi the lift they needed while Roi Mishpati in Maccabi’s goal denied the Cypriots from taking the lead.

A minute after the hour mark Zahavi found Gabi Kanichowsky on the edge of the area before he slid the ball to Dor Peretz who was tripped in the box by Omonia’s captain.

The referee pointed at the spot before Zahavi stepped up and calmly clipped the ball home to put Maccabi in front.

Maccabi almost doubled their lead four minutes later as Dan Biton placed a pinpoint free kick onto Peretz’s head but the 28-year-old managed to head the ball wide.

Shahar Rosen replaced Ofor Davidzada at left back in the 67th minute while 10 minutes later Lazetic made three more changes as Ofek Melika replaced Mishpati in goal while Peretz and Biton both bowed out with Nadav Niddam and Yoanatan Cohen introduced for the closing stages.

Cohen came close to set up Maccabi’s second as his curling corner fell to Baltaxa whose header sailed agonizingly wide on 81.

Three minutes later, the two substitutes Cohen and Niddam combined for Maccabi’s second. Cohen fed Niddam who blasted a low drive past Omonia’s keeper Francis Uzoho to seal Maccabi’s win with his second goals of pre-season.  

  

Maccabi Tel Aviv:

Roi Mishpati (Ofek Melika 77), Avishay Cohen (Matan Baltaxa 46), Idan Nachmias, Raz Shlomo, Ofir Davidzada (Shahar Rosen 66), Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky, Dor Peretz (Nadav Niddam 77), Bar Lin (Matan Hozez 46), Dan Biton (Yonatan Cohen 77), Saied Abu Farhi (Eran Zahavi 46).