Yonatan Cohen, returned to Maccabi in the summer after a disappointing year with Italian second division outfit Pisa and the forward spoke of the turbulent season he underwent. “It is hard to compare between the two seasons as we are dealing with two different clubs at different countries. I went there for two seasons with very high expectations but my time in Italy was a little tough away from home and the family as the situation was tougher. I returned to Maccabi with very high expectations and didn’t think I will have to sit here and answer questions about why I was hardly playing and what a poor season we had. Instead I prefer to look forward to remain positive as I know the future will be good.”

Cohen, who made only 12 league appearances and 16 in all competitions, elaborated on some of the difficulties he encountered: “I try to focus on the positive aspects. My season was not simple to say the least, as injuries held me back and I didn’t play a lot in the previous season as well, so everything I did required an additional step. I still remain very positive and next season I will come to devour the pitch.”

On the lessons he had learned from the previous season, Cohen said: “I learned that life is not easy and one must know how to deal with failures and criticism as well, but I believe it will be ok. Both myself and my teammates know where we failed and what is expected of us so we are looking forward.”

The appointment of Ben Mansford to the role of Chief Executive is something which influenced the career of Cohen at Maccabi during their previous tenures as the club, as the forward admitted: “Ben did amazing things here at the club in the past, not just with the senior side but also at other sectors as he helped promote young players who are here now as the backbone of the team. We know each other well, but it is all up to me now as I will not play because of Ben Mansford as I am going to prove myself in training and on the pitch every day.”

With two matches left until the end of the season against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield and away to Ashdod, Cohen reflected: “We would obviously like to win every match and are disappointed there are no real targets to play for, but as soon as Be’ersheva were deducted points we are aiming as high as possible and for second place. Clearly I would like to prove myself and show the coach I deserve to be here and have a future here.”

Cohen, who is set to feature against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, tried remaining positive: “I learned a lot from this season as when you don’t play it is difficult to build your confidence but I strongly believe in myself and know what I am worth. I feel better now both in training and after doing a few nice things on the pitch when I came on as a substitute against Maccabi Haifa. This gives me confidence ahead of the forthcoming two matches – to finish the season on a high and start the next season at full power.”

 

Maccabi’s 36-year-old captain, Sheran Yeini, faced the TV cameras at the end of the 3-1 defeat to Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer and said: “Maccabi Tel Aviv is a massive, glorious club which has won so many titles that when you reach the third season without winning the championship you are disappointed and there is no better word to describe it. Our role is to correct the mistakes, we all share the responsibility, from the bottom to the top. Everyone should draw the maximum out of himself and we will not be ashamed to talk about the fact that next season we will come back better and have a season which Maccabi deserves. At the end of the season we will talk to whoever we need to as we will join forces and with good communication will reach the best solutions.”

Yeini, who battled hard throughout the match with Haifa’s players who are on the verge of securing the title, added: “We always come and give our heart and soul on the pitch, and today was no different. Haifa were the better side, they deserved to win and we will see what happens next. I believe that they will win as well, and then one should say fair play to them as they had a long season. We are all athletes that work hard and to win a league title is not easy, one must suffer for it and they deserve credit for that.”

When asked if he has some message to the Maccabi fan base, Yeini replied: “Our fans know that we will give everything we have, that we care about the club and we want to take it to where it deserves to be. Believe me that we did not have fun, but we must be better, more dominant, more attacking and this is exactly what we will be.”

Preview

Five days after being knocked out of the State Cup in the Semi Final by Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi returned to the Sammy Ofer stadium aiming to turn their attention to league action with a tough encounter against the leaders. Eight points behind Maccabi Haifa and four adrift of second place Hapoel Be’ersheva that face Maccabi at Bloomfield next week, Aitor Karanka and his charges would have certainly wished for a different scenario.

With Eran Zahavi, Enric Saborit and Shahar Piven all ruled-out with the injuries they picked against Beitar last week, Karanka was forced to make changes to his team. Sheran Yeini returned to the heart of defence as the veteran captain led the team out with the captain’s armband before lining-up alongside Derrick Luckassen. Andre Geraldes on the right and Ofir Davidzada on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line in-front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Dan Glazer and Dor Peretz were both assigned to the midfield engine room with Gabi Kanichowsky drafted in to strengthen Maccabi’s centre. Dan Biton and Parfait Guiagon supplied the width to Karanka’s formation. In the absence of Zahavi, Djordje Jovanovic led the line as the 23-year-old Serbian striker spearheaded the attack aiming to add to his 15 league goals and 23 in all competitions.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Karanka, named Rares Ilie, Joris van Overeem, Eyal Golasa, Yonatan Cohen, Eylon Almog, Maor Kandil, Dor Turgeman and Nir Bitton.

First Half

The match began with both sides fighting for possession in the middle of the park as it was Maccabi that created the first chance. In the ninth minute Gabi Kanichowsky released Djordje Jovanovic who raced from the halfway line before sending a weak left foot shot which was equalled by Josh Cohen.

Within a minute and at the opposite end, Daniel Peretz, was called into action as he was at full stretch to punch out Omer Atzili’s dangerous free kick. Peretz, was at his best a minute later to keep his goal locked after Tjaronn Cherry released Dia Saba only for Maccabi’s custodian to pull a reflex save. In the 14th minute Maccabi took the lead after Dan Biton cut in from the right and teed-up Kanichowsky whose left foot low drive from the edge of the area proved too powerful and accurate for Cohen.

The goal silenced Haifa’s supporters and sent Maccabi’s 2000 plus travelling fans into a state of delirium. Minutes later, Haifa were inches away from drawing level as Dolev Haziza rose above Andre Geraldes and sent a header towards Atzili. But with the goal at his mercy and from point blank range Atzili somehow managed to guide his shot onto the post. Parfait Guiagon forced Cohen to claw his curling shot from the edge of the area on 23, while a minute later Haifa’s American born keeper pulled an identical save to keep out Kanichowsky’s shot from the exact same position.

In the 38th minute though a mistake in Maccabi’s defence helped Haifa level the score. A poor Derrick Luckassen back-pass left Peretz in no man’s land before his attempt of a clearance struck Haziza and rolled into the net. Jovanovic was shown the yellow card by referee Orel Grinfeeld for a tackle on Sean Goldberg as Maccabi kept on battling for each ball at both ends of the pitch.

Grinfeeld’s half-time whistle sent both teams to regroup in the dressing room ahead of another action packed 45 plus minutes.

Second Half

Four minutes after the restart Haifa completed their comeback as Pierre Cornud was given the time and space to send a low powerful drive towards goal. Peretz dived to his left and was only able to push the ball but just like Haifa’s first goal the ball struck Saba and went in to make it 2-1.

The hosts increased their lead in the 62nd minute as a long pass caught Maccabi’s defence flat to reach Cherry. Sheran Yeini who marshalled Maccabi’s defence and hardly got a foot wrong all game, couldn’t reach his opposite Surinamese number who teed-up Saba. The diminutive Haifa forward sent a low left foot shot which shaved Andre Geraldes before going in off the post.  Karanka made a double change on 67 as he introduced Eyal Golasa and Eylon Almog for Glazer Biton. In the 70th minute Almog flashed a shot wide of the post with his right while three minutes later he sent a left foot half volley straight at the hands of Cohen.

Karanka made two more changes in the 84th minute as Jovanovjc and Kanichowsky bowed out and were replaced by Dor Turgeman and Yonatan Cohen. Din David could have increased Haifa’s lead seconds later but he sent his shot against the side netting. Cohen tried firing a free kick which sailed high and wide as Maccabi pushed forward in a desperate bid to try and get back into the game. But none of their attempts managed to bear fruit before the full-time whistle ended the contest.

The defeat kept Maccabi on 67 points and with Hapoel B’ersheva beating Ashdod 1-0, the gap from second place has been increased to seven points – a week before their visit to Bloomfield stadium.    

Monday’s match at Sammy Ofer will the 175^th league encounter between the two sides and the fixture played more than  any other in the top flight. The all-time record currently stands on 72 Maccabi victories, 50 victories for Haifa while 52 matches were drawn with a goal tally of 254-216.

Since Maccabi Haifa began hosting matches at the Sammy Ofer stadium, the venue hosted 16 league encounters between the two sides. Maccabi has a 62.5% success rate winning 8 drawing 6 and losing 2 matches.

Under the current league format and since the 2012/13 season, both sides faced each other 19 times in the Playoffs. Maccabi are unbeaten against Haifa in the Playoffs winning 9 and drawing 10 with a goal tally of 32-13.

Since the Millennium, Maccabi reached the State Cup Semi Final 10 times – winning 7 and losing 3. Maccabi’s record after playing in the Semi Finals: 7 victories and 3 draws with a goal tally of 25-5.

Haifa’s coach, Barak Bakhar, faced Maccabi for 38 league matches with Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Hapoel Be’ersheva and his current Haifa club. Bakhar’s record against Maccabi currently stands on 15 defeats, 13 draws and 10 victories.

Orel Grinfeld who will officiate the match, was the referee in 7 of the league encounters between the sides of which Maccabi won 5 and lost 2 (2012 and 2017).

The fixture will take place on MD34 with Maccabi enjoying an extra ordinary record. Last season Maccabi recorded a 3-1 victory away to Haifa on MD34 and will aim for a repeat this season. Since the 2011/12 season, Maccabi has an unbeaten record on MD34 winning 10 matches and drawing once with a goal tally of 21-4.