Having won the first three matches under Ronny Deila, Maccabi will face another challenge tomorrow as they travel to Jerusalem and face Beitar at Teddy Stadium (20:30).
The team completed its final training session this morning at the Kiryat Shalom training complex under Head Coach Ronny Deila who said at the pre-match Press Conference on Saturday: “We prepared for the opponent, but at the same time we want to focus on ourselves. To make adjustments in order to get the best out of our style, while also neutralizing the opponent’s strengths. We will use these two days to train and show the things we want to see. We are not changing, we are improving. We will continue doing the things we have been doing and keep improving more and more.”

Deila, who welcomes Heitor dos Santos back from suspension and Ali Camara back from injury, is set to have an almost fully fit squad at his disposal. “We have many options now and that is very good” Deila said. “We will use this time to prepare the best possible eleven. Those who played performed well, and so did those who came on as substitutes. It’s challenging to choose the team. We understand that we are a team, we can make use of having a strong bench. We need everyone, and there will be players left out of the squad. That’s not easy for the coach or for the player. Decisions have to be made, but we win and lose together. The way to achieve results is for everyone to move in the same direction, put the team first, and make the best of the situation.”

The 30-year-old skipper who leads Maccabi’s goal scoring charts with 12 goals in all competitions faced the media ahead of Monday’s WINNER League match away to Beitar Jerusalem.

The most experienced player in the Maccabi squad who played under several coaches during his time with the senior squad, and has showed good form since Ronny Deila’s appointment. Convincing victories over Kiryat Shmona, Maccabi Jaffa and Bnei Reieneh saw Ronny Deila hit the ground running, as Peretz said: “The matches we’ve experienced so far were also a kind of test, games where at times we struggled to create chances and score. I’m happy that the team is producing, full of energy, scoring goals and managing games properly. Now it’s a different match, a team above us in the table, with excellent players and a very good side. We’ll prepare accordingly.”

As Maccabi will not have any fans supporting the team at Teddy following a suspended sentence which the IFA activated, Peretz said: “We won’t have our fans, which is significant, but we will focus on what’s in our hands and do our part.”

As Maccabi go into MD23 five points behind second place Beitar and nine adtift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva, Peretz insisted: “We are here to do our very best. Of course, at Maccabi it’s all the way, as strong as it gets. We’ll do everything to be there until the very end. From game to game we’re adjusting ourselves to the coach and to the approach, and I think we are building something great here. We will need to bring that to life in every match. Talking about May now is a long way ahead. There are many matches until then and we’ll need to take care of our business game by game.”

On his personal form since Deila’s appointment, Peretz said: “Under Ronny, they’re definitely sharpening me as a player and sharpening us as a team. It’s doing good things for us. You can see it with the wingers and the full-backs. He fine-tunes the details and I think that’s very good for us as players.”

The 6-2 defeat to Beitar when both teams last met at Bloomfield on MD10 remains a low point in Maccabi’s season, but Peretz remained adamant it is not something which should have any influence on Monday’s encounter: “I think our duty as players, staff and everyone involved in football is to wake up the next day and move forward. Carrying that burden isn’t realistic because you can’t recover that way. Alongside a great half, you know that Beitar is a team that feeds off energy and waits for mistakes, that’s the main lesson. We know that even if we’re having an outstanding game, they’re very dangerous, especially at Teddy with their supporters, and we’ll need to keep that in mind.”

“It’s a match between two very dominant teams that both really want to win,” he added. “If we stick to the coach’s key points and go down that path together as one, it will be an excellent game for us, and that’s our duty. To believe in the path and follow it.”

On the settling in of Emir Sahiti who scored three goals in three matches since joining Maccabi on loan from Hamburg, Peretz said: “He is a wonderful guy, truly a wonderful guy. You can see the amazing way in which he settled in, he is enjoying himself and flourishing. It makes me very happy to see a player join and settle in so quickly”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is pleased to announce that 18-year-old goalkeeper Idan Trau has signed a new three-year contract, with an option to extend for a further two seasons.

Trau, who joined Maccabi’s Youth Academy at the age of 13 and has progressed steadily through the ranks. Over the past two seasons, Trau featured prominently for Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shachar’ U19s, making 51 appearances in all competitions.

Afte signing his contract, Trau told the club’s official website: “I am proud to be part of the club I joined at the age of 13 and happy to sign a long-term contract at Maccabi. From a young age, I have believed in hard work, and for my part I will continue to do everything I can to keep developing.”

At international level, Trau is a member of Israel’s Under-19 national team, where he made two appearances, and has also made four appearances with Israel’s U17’s and U16’s.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC would like to thank Technical Director Dominic Price, who is leaving his role after two and a half successful years at the Club.

Dominic joined Maccabi in the summer of 2023 and played a significant role in the evolution of the Club’s professional structure and was also integral in implementing the strategy for the recruitment and development of players in difficult and challenging circumstances.

Dominic’s hard work and professionalism combined with his humble approach and willingness to embrace the demands of the role made him a natural fit for the Club.

 Owner, Mitch Goldhar said: “I thank Dominic for his dedication and commitment. It was a pleasure to work with someone with his knowledge and demeanor. He was not always front and center but remained effective and certainly left his mark. I wish him success in the next chapter of his career. Dominic will always be part of the Maccabi family.

 

Ofek Melika experienced a rollercoaster ride of a season at Maccabi so far after beginning the campaign with a red after 19 minutes of his European debut against Pafos. The 21-year-old keeper waited for his chance on the bench, and became a hero overnight as he saved a crucial spot kick in the State Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv. Melika, who claimed the number one jersey and kept a clean sheet in the 4-0 league victory over Maccabi Bnei Reineh, said after the match: “It was very important. We’re all feeling good. There’s new energy and a new atmosphere. I hope we keep looking good and that the feelings stay positive.”

Melika paid tribute to the former coach Zarko Lazetic and his coaching staff as he said: “I think it’s a change in atmosphere, and I really want to thank Žarko Lazetic, the goalkeeping coach Dragan Bajic and his entire staff, I truly enjoyed working with them; first and foremost, they are amazing people. Right now the team has gained a bit more energy, and I’m very happy to be working now with Ronny Deila and with the new goalkeeping coach who arrived. I’ve been very impressed by them. I’m happy they trust me and give me minutes, and I hope we can achieve great things this year.”

On the arrival of Dean Kiely, his new goalkeeping coach, Melika said: “It’s very exciting to work with him. Honestly, I knew who he was beforehand, and my dad is a big admirer. All of his demands, what he expects from me, and the way he runs training, it’s a lot of fun working with him.”

The fact Maccabi are nine points adrift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva didn’t shake the confidence of the young custodian who insisted: “I think everything is possible. There’s still the playoffs and we have knockout matches, anything can happen. We’ll just keep going down this path and things will be good.”

On a personal note, Melika summed up: “All my life I’ve been with teams that were underdogs, so I always had to be ready to step in. That’s something I’m used to. I think I’m doing a good job and I hope to continue like this. For me it’s harder to be ready for one or two situations in a half, because you can suddenly lose a bit of connection with the game. But in the end, that’s our job, to stay focused at all times, and hopefully we’ll keep improving.”

On Maccabi’s 12th league victory of the season that took the point tally to 42 points, Abu Farchi said: “A big win, lots of goals and plenty of chances. We did our job. All of this came with the push from the crowd, who drove us on today and created a really good atmosphere, and we thank them.”

On his personal performance on the night, Abu Farchi remained humble: “A goal and two assists? I still expect more from myself.”

Abu farchi who received compliments from Maccabi’s head coach Ronny Deila, said: “It’s very flattering, but honestly I don’t focus on that. If they bring in another striker, it will give me even more motivation to work harder and prove myself. It’s the club’s decision, and as long as I’m on the pitch I’ll give everything I have, and I hope to keep going like this.”

On the close work with Maccabi’s new assistant coach Kenny Miller who was a prolific goal-scorer for Glasgow Rangers, Abu Farchi added: “We have an assistant coach who was a great striker. He takes me for one-on-one talks and works with me in training on things I need to improve. I thank him and hope to continue on this path.”

Preview:

Four days after the emphatic victory over Maccabi Jaffa in the State Cup, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD22 WINNER League match against Maccabi Bnei Reineh. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Ronny Deila, who beat Kiryat Shmona 4-1 in his debut match in charge at Netanya and added a 5-0 win over second division side Jaffa at Bloomfield, will aim to continue his 100% record against bottom of the table Bnei Reineh.

The Norwegian, who is missing Heitor dos Santos through suspension, didn’t make too many changes to his starting line-up. Raz Shlomo returned to partner Tyrese Asante at the heart of defense, as the duo lined up in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika. Noam Ben Harush and Roy Revivo at right and left back respectively completed Maccabi’s back-four.

Itamar Noy in the anchorman role, was joined by Maccabi’s top goal scorers Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband. After marking his Bloomfield debut with two goals against Jaffa in the Cup, Emir Sahiti, was named on one wing with Helio Varela on the opposite flank. Having scored in his last two outings, Saied Abu Farchi, whose tally currently stands on seven goals in all competitions, led the line.

On the bench, Deila welcomed back, Kristijan Belic, who recovered from his cheekbone injury yet is wearing a protective mask. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Issouf Sissokho, Itay Ben Hemo and Osher Davida completed the substitutes on the bench.

Prior to kickoff, a minute of applause was held in memory of Maccabi basketball owner David Federman, who was also a member of the football club’s ownership group in the 1990s, after he passed away at the age of 81.

First half:

Ronny Deila received a warm welcoming reception from Maccabi’s fans who cheered the team on right from the off. Maccabi dominated the opening stages pinning Reineh inside their own half and spreading the ball from side to side. Helio Varela on the right and Emir Sahiti on the left tormented the visitors’ defense but couldn’t create an opening. In the 12th minute a Noam Ben Harush’s pinpoint cross found Saied Abu Farchi whose header narrowly missed the target. Two minutes later Sahiti played Dor Peretz clear through as Maccabi’s captain burst forward but Reineh’s keeper, Lior Gliklich, charged off his line and dived at the feet of the Maccabi captain to collect.

Maccabi continued to press forward in an attempt to find an opening as Varela and Itamar Noy exchanged passes before the Cape Verde winger had his effort blocked. But in the 19th minute Peretz went down in the box clutching his face following a corner that Gliklich seemed to have punched away. Referee Yigal Frid was called by the VAR to the screen and awarded Maccabi a penalty as the Reineh keeper didn’t make any contact with the ball. Abu Farchi stepped up and slotted in the spot kick to put Maccabi in front with his 8th goal of the season.

A minute before the half hour mark Maccabi had the ball in the back of the visitors’ net as Sahiti drilled in a powerful low drive that found the bottom far corner. But the referee assistant raised his flag for an offside against Varela as the goal was scratched off. Four minutes later the Kosovo international continued to look dangerous as Abu Farchi slipped him in but this time Sahiti’s effort sailed wide.

Second half:

With no changes to either side at the restart it was the visitors who came closer to score after the interval. A Ben Harush mistake gifted Reineh the ball before Mohamad Shaker was given the time and space to blast a shot which beat Ofek Melika but struck the post. Two minutes later Vitalie Damascan forced Melika to make a save as he punched away a dangerous shot which dipped right in front of him. But in the 51st minute Maccabi doubled their lead at the opposite end as Abu charged half the length of the pitch before picking Sahiti on the right. The winger still had his work cut for himself as his shot which took a slight deflection to beat Gliklich for his debut league goal and three in two outings.

Maccabi’s blitz continues two minutes later with Abu Farchi adding another assist this time for Roy Revivo who drilled in his second league goal in succession to make it 3-0.

Three minutes after the hour mark, Varela who had one attempt narrowly miss the target, had another effort turned for a corner. Maccabi continued to press in an attempt to score a fourth while Reineh’s defended a series of four corners. In the 67th minute the 19,733 fans at Bloomfield were on their feet as Deila introduced Osher Davida and Kristijan Belic for Shahar and Varela. Belic’s name echoed around the Jaffa stadium as fans welcomed back the Serbian combative midfielder with the mask. The impact of Belic was almost instant as Peretz reached two good chances to score but Gliklich managed to deny him on both occasions.

A missed Tyrese Asante clearance in the 79th minute allowed Damascan to break through, but Melika charged off his line as the two players suffered from the head collision. With Melika on the ground a Reineh player rolled the ball in, but VAR called Frid to the screen and this goal was cancelled as well. Deila made a triple substitution as Ben Harush, Noy and Abu Farchi bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced on 82 by Sagiv Jehezkel, Issouf Sissokho and Yonas Malede. Three minutes after his introduction, Malede, swept home a Revivo accurate square ball to end a two-year long drought as his previous goal was scored on February 10^th, 2024.

Inside injury time Peretz could have made with a close range header but Gliklich pulled a stunning reflex save to deny the Maccabi captain before the full time whistle was heard.