Maccabi will try qualify to the Conference League Playoffs tonight (Thursday) as they host the 3^rd qualifying round return leg at Bloomfield stadium. Patrick van Leeuwen’s charges who were held to a 0-0 draw by Spartak Trnava, will try and complete the task the began in Slovakia last week.

As Shakhter Karagandy needed a penalty shoot out to advance past Ukrainian outfit Kolos on Tuesday, Maccabi know that a victory against Trnava will see them travel to Kazakhstan next week for the first leg of the Conference League Playoffs. Due to the cancelation of the away goals rule this summer, any draw after 90 minutes or extra time would also lead to a sudden death penalty shoot-out.

Trnava, arrived in Israel on Tuesday on the back of a 4-0 victory in the league over bottom of the table Liptovsky Mikulas.    

What can the history tell us?

In eight previous encounters (including last round against Sutjeska) that Maccabi played the first of two legs away from home – the match ended  in a draw.

Since being eliminated by Grasshoppers Zurich in the 1995/96 season after a 1-1 draw in Zurich followed by a 1-0 victory for the Swiss at Bloomfield – Maccabi qualified at home in all of its’ 7 two legged ties on the back of drawing away.

In all three occasions Maccabi were held to a 0-0 away, the return to Tel Aviv was marked by victory and qualification (HJK Helsinki 2004/05, Pyunik Yerevan 2018/19, Sutjeska 2020/21).

Maccabi’s tally in 35 home matches played at Bloomfield is: 20 victories, 9 draws and 6 defeats. In 17 return legs played at Bloomfield Maccabi has an impressive record of 12 victories, 4 draws and a single defeat (Grasshoppers).

Rikan and Ben Chaim close to 50^th European appearance

Avi Rikan and Tal Be Chaim could each make their 50^th appearance for Maccabi in European competition should they feature in tonight’s match against Spartak Trnava.

From the current squad, only Sheran Yeini played more times for maccabi in Europe with 66 appearances in the various club competitions.

 

 

“Maccabi is massive and I am certain that every kid who begins to play football dreams about the moment he will wear Maccabi’s jersey and I am glad, delighted and proud. You can’t say no to Maccabi” Shamir said.

The 26-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan from Standard Liege, added: “I know what I am capable of contributing and I know exactly what I was brought here for. I am a team player, as the most important things for me are the team’s energies and success. I joined a club that needs no explaining its’ size and magnitude. I am excited and can’t wait to show that I belong and the team’s success for me is above anything else”.

“We haven’t lost our deterrent force. Last year we had an amazing season despite all the hurdles and we had plenty of them. Football is dynamic, players leave and players join but no player is bigger than the club. Three years ago, when we were under the Financial Fair Play restrictions, several anonymous young players like Dan Glazer and Yonatan Cohen were given a chance to lead the team and ultimately they proved themselves and won the championship. There are many talented players at Maccabi who together with some experienced players are the current squad. I believe the squad is not complete just yet and as the transfer window will shut I am sure the team will be complete and Maccabi will be much better”.

Ben Chaim who was denied by the post in last week’s first leg in Slovakia, added: “We had an excellent match last week and everyone could see that it could have easily ended 3 or 4 nil. I think that whoever is at the club is doing their best to ensure this club will be where it is supposed to be as I am certain we will have a good team this season”

Eden Shamir signed a one-year-deal at Maccabi Tel Aviv after successfully undergoing a medical at the club to complete his loan-deal from Standard Liege where he played since January 2020.

After signing his contract, Shamir, who will wear the number 18 at Maccabi, said: “I am happy and delighted to join such a massive and glorious club such as Maccabi Tel Aviv. To join a club of such magnitude is a dream come true for every kid, as all I have to do now is work hard in order to help the team achieve its’ targets this season”.

Barak Itzhaki, Head of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Football Department added: “We are delighted to add Eden to Maccabi Tel Aviv and wish him good luck”.

This season Shamir played once for Liege in the league against Genk as well as one pre-season friendly match against Mechelen. Last season Shamir made 23 appearances for Liege in all competitions including featuring for the Belgian club in the Europa League group stages.

The midfielder, 185cm, began his playing career at Hapoel Haifa’s youth academy before switching to Kiryat Shmona in 2012. Shamir made his senior debut for Kiryat Shmona at a league match against Hapoel Ra’anana in November 2013 and at the end of that season won the State Cup.

He scored his first senior goal against Maccabi Tel Aviv in a penalty shoot-out that saw Kiryat Shmona win the Super Cup of the 2015/16 season.

In six seasons at Kiryat Shmona, Shamir scored a total of 14 goals in 159 appearances in all competitions before moving ahead of the 2019/20 season to Hapoel Be’ersheva.

During half the season he played for Be’ersheva before moving to Belgium, Shamir scored 3 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, and for Israel’s young national teams scored 3 more goals in 36 international appearances.

   

 

A victory over Spartak Trnava in Thursday’s return leg at Bloomfield, will see Maccabi that were held to a 0-0 in Slovakia last week, travel to Kazakhstan and face Shakhter Karagandy in the Playoffs.

After a goalless draw in the Ukraine, no goals were scored both in regular and extra time of the return leg at Astana’s Nuri Shahin stadium as Shakhter beat Kolos 3-1 at the end of sudden death spot kicks