Category: First Team
Peretz: “There is no option to give up at any stage”
On Maccabi concentrating on the domestic competitions over the coming month, Peretz said: “First of all, the European experience is a blessing, being in that competition and facing teams like that. In a month like this, we have time to work on things that we don’t always manage to fit into the schedule. Physically, it’s a chance to recover and arrive at every match as prepared as possible, and to look our very best.”
“We are Maccabi, we understand that alongside all the challenges, the heavy defeats and a certain shake-up, we are here until the end and we want a trophy at the end of this season. To achieve that, there is no option to give up at any stage. As players and as management, we’ve understood thereus one objective, and we need to go all the way to the end of the season as strong as possible. In challenging moments like these, we move forward together, the staff and the coach. The win against Hapoel Haifa showed a lot of character and also good quality. Now we’re entering a focused run in the league and the cup.”
On the feeling within the camp, Maccabi’s captain added: “There is a very united and positive dressing room. What went out externally doesn’t reflect what’s happening inside, it’s part of a team’s dynamics. We all want the same thing; sometimes there are misunderstandings and different perspectives, and that’s okay as long as you know how to resolve things properly. We’re all here for the same goal.”
On Petah Tikva that had their six match unbeaten run end last week with a 4-0 defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv, the same result Maccabi beat them in the previous round, Peretz said: “No one is confused by Petah Tikva’s position in the table, everyone respects them. Our preparation is based on their quality, and we’ll prepare properly to show the best version of Maccabi.”
“A win tomorrow can give us good feelings and positive energy for the rest of the month ahead, and that would be great for us,” he added.
On his personal recent form, Peretz, who scored 9 goals in all comepetitions this season, said: “What I bring isn’t measured only by numbers. It’s a challenge to take in the bigger picture. Some players are judged by whether they scored or not, I am not driven by that. It’s a bonus. There’s a very big responsibility that comes with it. I want to push the team even further forward; when the team wins, I feel that I’m part of that”.
Lazetic after Stuttgart
Revivo: “In the second half we showed what we are capable of”
Roy Revivo second half goal against VFB Stuttgart wasn’t enough to help Maccabi avoid their fifth defeat in the Europa League phase losing 4-1 at the MHP Arena. The 22-year old whose slip in the first half gifted Stuttgart the opening goal, bounced back in the second half to score his second goal in European competitions this season avainst the Bundesliga side. “I’m happy to score and help the team” Revivo said after the match.
“In the first half we weren’t as good and we didn’t attack the ball enough. In the second half it improved a lot, we pressed the ball and the other team much better,” Revivo added. “Stuttgart are a very high-level team, full of confidence, but in the second half we showed what we are capable of and we were really there.”
On the goal he scored, the left-back said: “I’m very happy to score and help the team. Credit to the players, and I am glad I was able to help them.”
On the slip that led to Stuttgart’s olening goal, Revivo admitted: “I have been through enough in football to know how to pick myself up. Slips happen, in every league. It wasn’t easy, but you pick yourself up, that is just how it is.”
Ahead of Maccabi’s rest of the season Revivo concluded: “We have a lot of players carrying a heavy load, and now there will be more time to rest.”
Maccabi beaten 4-1 by Stuttgart
Preview
Maccabi arrived at the MHP Arena ahead of the Europa league MD6 away to VFB Stuttgart. On the back of four successive defeats since the 0-0 away to PAOK on MD1, Maccabi will aim to add to the solitary point they have, but against the German club currently ranked 6th in the Bundesliga the task will be extremely tough.
Head Coach Zarko Lazetic made six changes to the side that was beaten at Hapoel Be’ersheva. Roi Mishpati started in goal, with Heitor dos Santos, Ali Camara and Itay Ben Hemo lining up as three central defenders in front of him. Noam Ben Harush in the right wing-back role and Roy Revivo on the opposite left flank completed Maccabi’s defensive line. Itamar Noy and Ido Shahar were assigned to Maccabi’s engine room with Shahar leading the team out with the captain’s armband. Kervin Andrade and Helio Varela supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation in support of Saied Abu Farchi who led the line upfront.
On the bench alongside goalkeepers Ofek Melika and Shalev Saadya, Lazetic named Avishay Cohen, Tyrese Asante, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Ben Lederman, Dor Peretz, Idan Weinberg, Ilay Ben Simon and Osher Davida.
First Half
The hosts took the initiative early as Lazar Jovanovic was the first Stuttgart player to threaten Roi Mishpati. Seven minutes from the start Jovanovic tried a shot from the edge of the area which Mishpati was able to catch while a minute later his dangerous dipping shot almost caught Maccabi’s keeper off his line before he was able to recover in time. At the opposite end a minute later Saied Abu Farchi and Kervin Andrade combined well to send Noam Ben Harush down the right before his attempt of a cross was cleared by Stuttgart’s defense. Stutthart continued to look damgerous as a last gasp Heitor dos Santos clearance from the goalmouth managed to hook a Maximilan Mittelstadt dangerous cross over the crossbar.
In the 25th minute Stuttgart took the lead as Lorenz Assignon was left unmarked at the far post after a Roy Revivo slip to meet Mittelstadt’s pinpoint cross with a volley that managed to find a gap between Mishpati and the post. Two minutes later dos Santos managed to clear once again after Chris Fuhrich managed to break into the box and send a square ball past Mishpati. . Saied Abu Farchi took the free kick but the 19-year-old’s attempt of a shot on goal was blocked by Stuttgart’s wall.
In the 37th minute however Stuttgart doubled their lead in controvercial circumstances as Romanian referee allowed play to continue despite Abu Farchi going down clutching his face. Tiago Tomas rifiled his shot which went in off the crossbar as Maccabi’s protests for a foul on Abu Farchi went un answered as even VAR didn’t help allowing the goal to count. Abu Farchi then saw his shot blocked for a corner on 43 but the hosts’ tall defense managed to clear Itamar Noy’s cross before any Maccabi player could have any chance of threatening the goal. Inside injury time, Varela sent a dangerous square ball into the path of Abu Farchi but the young striker failed to connect with the referee blowing the whistle for halftime seconds later.
Second Half
Lazetic made a double substitution at the restart as Osher Davida and Dor Peretz came on for Noy and Andrade. As a result Abu Farchi moved back to the right wing-back role while Ben Harush pushed into the midfield. Two minutes later Stuttgart were awarded a penalty after a Maccabi defender was judged to have handled the ball in the box. Mittelstadt stepped up and swept the spot kick past Mishpati to give Stuttgart a 3-0 lead. In the 52nd minute Maccabi cut the deficit as Revivo received a through ball from Ben Hemo controlled it with his thigh and sent a low drive that beat Alexander Nubel to make it 3-1.
Tyrese Asante replaced Ali Camara on 71 as Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs into defense. A minute later Revivo had a left foot shot saved by a combination of Nubel and his post. Madmon flashed header which shaved the side netting in the 90th minute while Lazetic made his fifth and final change introducing 16.5 year old Ilay Ben Simon for Varela. Inside injury time Stuttgart scored their fourth as substitute Josha Vagoman headed in Badrrdine Bounani’s cross tp seal the score at 4-1.
Asante ahead of Stuttgart
Lazetic ahead of Stuttgart
Preparing for Stuttgart
Maccabi continues its journey in the Europa League phase as today (Wednesday) the team departed for Germany ahead of their sixth match away to Stuttgart at the MHP Arena.
Earlier this morning, the team held its final practice at the Kiryat Shalom training complex in wintry weather conditions, before setting off for Ben-Gurion Airport and flying to Stuttgart. This evening, the team will hold the pre-match press conference at Stuttgart.
Maccabi arrives for the match after collecting a point at the end of a 0-0 draw away to PAOK Thessaloniki on MD1 followed by four defeats to Dinamo Zagreb, Midtjylland, Aston Villa, and Lyon. Stuttgart, on the other hand, began their campaign with three victories against Celta Vigo, Feyenoord, and Go Ahead Eagles as well as two defeats to FC Basel and Fenerbahce.
Nicolaescu injury update
Ion Nicolaescu underwent an MRI scan at the Shamir Medical center last night following the knee injury he sustained during the match against Hapoel Be’ersheva. After an evaluation by the club’s medical staff, it has been confirmed that Ion has suffered a tear to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
He will undergo surgery in the near future and will then begin his rehabilitation process within the club. Everyone at the club wishes Ion a smooth procedure and a speedy, successful return to full fitness.
Ben Harush: “Wherever I play, I’ll give everything”
Ben Harush added: “We are very disappointed with the result” he said, “We looked better and deserved to leave here with points”.
Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old who joined the club in the summer, remained adamant: “We always keep our heads forward. We looked good on the pitch, and we have a long schedule with many matches ahead of us.”
The U21 Israeli international who took a while to break into the team said: “When you come to the biggest club in the country, there’s competition for every place in the squad. I worked hard and knew my opportunity would come. Wherever I play, I’ll give everything I have. I love this club and I want to be here.”
On the current spell which saw Maccabi concede its’ second league defeat in four matches, Ben Harush added: “We are one family. What people hear from the outside is
