Category: First Team
Lazetic ahead of Ironi Tiberias
Friendly: Maccabi beat Hapoel Ramat Gan 5–2
Maccabi’s Head Coach Zarko Lazetic exploited the absence of the players who are on international duty to let his squad get some valuable playing time against Hapoel Ramat Gan who are coached by former Maccabi U19’s coach Michael Zandberg.
Maccabi took the lead early in the 4th minute as Elad Madmon headed an Itamar Noy free kick to beat Ramat Gan’s goalkeeper Itamar Israeli from close range.
In the 26th minute, Maccabi doubled their lead after Avishay Cohen, playing at left-back, burst into the box and cut the ball back for Yonas Malede who clinically finished with one touch.
Three minutes after the half-hour mark Maccabi increased their lead to 3–0. Cohen, was instrumental once again as he won the ball deep inside Ramat Gan’s half before slipping it to Madmon who found the bottom far corner for his second of the match.
In the 40th minute, Maccabi’s new signing Kervin Andrade scored a stunning goal, firing from 30 meters straight into the top corner.
The visitors cut the deficit in the 55th minute, when Adar Retner slotted home from close range past Yoav Gerafi. Eight minutes later, Maccabi added a fifth as Maccabi’s U19 midfielder Yoav Junio volleyed a Ben Lederman cross with a clinical finish of his own.
Ramat Gan scored their second in the 70th minute, when Omer Senior struck from the middle of the box into the bottom right corner to seal the score at 5-2.
Maccabi: Roi Mishpati (Yoav Gerafi 46), Tyrese Asante, Ali Camara, Heitor (Itay Ben Hemo 46), Avishay Cohen, Itamar Noy, Ben Lederman, Yoav Juino, Kervin Andrade (Rani Rival 65), Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon (Yahli Danor 65).
Peretz voted as August Player of The Month
August is already behind us as over the past few days you voted for Dore Peretz as the Maccabi Player of the Month.
Peretz scored 2 goals in Europe against Dynamo Kyiv and added a brace in the League against Maccabi Netanya. The Maccabi captain was facing tough competition from Roy Revivo and Kristijan Belic who came in second and third, respectively.
Voted for Peretz? Now comes the part you have been waiting for.
Whoever voted for Peretz should receive a text message containing the prize question by 17:00 today (Sunday). The first person to send a correct answer will receive an official Maccabi shirt and scarf.
Varela joins Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC has reached an agreement with Belgian side KAA Gent for the transfer of Hélio Sandro Oliveira Alves Varela. The 23-year-old Cape Verde international forward successfully completed his medical and signed a three-year deal, with an option to extend by an additional season.
Varela (176 cm), born in Almada, Portugal, spent the majority of his career in his home country before moving to Belgium. Since joining Gent from Portimonense in August 2024, Varela made 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals.
After completing his medical and signing his contract, Varela, who will wear the number 29 shirt at Maccabi, told the club’s official website: “I’m really happy to join this great club. From the moment Maccabi showed interest, I could feel the power of the club and the amazing fans. This is a big step for me and I’m proud to take it. I can’t wait to wear the yellow jersey and play for our supporters.”
Varela began his footballing journey in the youth academies of Charneca Caparica, CD Cova Piedade, and Vitória Setúbal, before joining Amora, where he made his senior debut in a cup match at the age of 18 years and seven months. In January 2021, he moved to SU Sintrense, scoring five goals in 26 appearances. His performances earned him a transfer to Portimonense SAD, where he scored four goals in 26 matches for the U23 team before being promoted to the senior squad. At Portimonense’s senior side, Varela went on to score six goals and three assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.
On the international stage, Varela has earned 16 caps for Cape Verde since making his debut in October 2023 in a friendly against Algeria.
Kervin Andrade joins Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Fortaleza Esporte Clube of Brazil for the transfer of Kervin Mario Andrade Navarro. The 20-year-old Venezuelan forward successfully completed his medical and signed a four-year deal.
Since joining Fortaleza in 2023, initially on loan before making the move permanent in June 2024, Andrade scored 8 goals and added 6 assists in 50 first-team appearances, as well as 3 goals in 5 outings for the U20s.
After successfully completing his medical and signing his contract, Andrade, who will wear the number 10 shirt, told to the club’s official website: “I’m very excited to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, a great club in Israel with a well-established reputation across Europe. I am grateful for the opportunity to play here and will give my all to help the team achieve its goals as I begin this exciting new chapter in my career.”
A product of Deportivo La Guaira in Venezuela, Andrade made his senior debut in June 2021 at just 16 years old, going on to score 6 goals and add 4 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions. He then moved to Brazil in 2023, where, at 18 years and nine months, he marked his Fortaleza senior debut in the ‘Campeonato Cearense’ regional championship group stage with a goal.
On the international stage, Andrade earned 4 caps for Venezuela’s senior team, making his debut in a friendly against Guatemala just days before his 19th birthday. He has also represented the Venezuela U23s on 3 occasions.
Thank you, Stojic!
Nemanja Stojic will leave Maccabi Tel Aviv and join PFC Sochi, following an agreement reached with the Russian club for the transfer of the 27-year-old defender.
Stojic, who joined from Red Star Belgrade in August 2024, made 42 appearances and scored six goals, playing an important role in Maccabi’s League Championship and Toto Cup triumphs. This season, Stojic added six more appearances helping the team secure another European campaign.
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC wishes to thank Stojic for his commitment and contribution throughout an unforgettable year in Yellow and Blue.
Thank you, Nemanja, for all you have done at Maccabi and best of luck in your future career.
After their debut goals: Nicolaescu and Noy spoke
Ion Nicolaescu, who celebrated his first league start for Maccabi with a debut goal in Sunday’s 4–0 victory over Maccabi Netanya, shared his feelings after the match:
Itamar Noy, who came on as a second half substitute and scored his first goal for Maccabi, said after the match: “This is the best feeling there is. I waited for this a long time, dreamed about it a lot. I supposedly started from a lower place, from Hapoel Haifa, but I took it step by step. I don’t see it as a weakness, on the contrary. I expect us to do great things. I don’t know if I’m a Cinderella story, I work hard, I believe in myself and aim to get as far as I can. I hope this is only the beginning.”
The midfielder, who joined Maccabi from Hapoel Haifa in the summer, spoke about the competition for places and a strong midfield: “There’s good competition, everyone is an excellent player. There’s a very wide selection. Especially with our European season, there are many matches, and it pushes all of us to be at the highest level. If you don’t perform at your best, there are plenty of good players. It makes us improve, to keep pushing ourselves forward again and again.”
On his relationship with coach Zarko Lazetic, Noy said:
“I am new here, but I’ve been given quite a few opportunities and I have settled in well. I feel his support; he is always talking to me, guiding me, helping me integrate as best as possible. I’m really happy about that.”
On the targets he set himself at Maccabi, Noy added: “I always aim to reach the best and highest level possible. For me, Maccabi Tel Aviv is the best. I want to train with the best players, the best staff, and improve as much as I can. I know there’s competition, I am not looking for comfort or guarantees to play. I want to improve, to progress. Competition is a good thing. When Maccabi Tel Aviv makes you an offer, you don’t say no. It’s always been my dream, and I’m happy it came true.”
Peretz’s summary of the 4-0 victory over Netanya
Dor Peretz celebrated a perfect start to the 2025/26 league campaign with two goals in the 4-0 victory over Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield. The 30-year-old Maccabi captain said at the end of the match: “I am happy to be in this position, in this role where I can help the team win matches. Looking at the bigger picture, this was, in my eyes, a very convincing victory for the team, we showed some good form which is very impressive. The aggression and intensity were at a high level, and I want us to maintain that going forward and take it with us.”
Trying to explain the team’s form on the back of a Europa League Playoff against Dynamo Kyiv which was played in Poland on Thursday, Peretz said: “I think we showed the principles we work on in training. We showed exactly the Maccabi we want to bring into every match, an intense team that wins balls back, plays forward, and creates chances. We came back just a day and a half ago from Poland, and we proved we can do it.”
Ahead of Maccabi’s grueling Europa League campaign that will see the team travel 8 times and host four matches abroad, Peretz added: “We need to prepare for it. Every player has to take his place seriously, both physically and mentally. We need to take care of ourselves. The staff is working to prepare the team in the best way possible. At the end of the day, the league is the most essential thing; from here we reach the European stage. We always have to remember that, to come to every league match and give our very best.”
On his role on the pitch which saw Peretz play at the top of the midfield trio and closer to the frontline, Peretz summed up: “I felt that I played in the middle with relative freedom, which allowed me to step up closer to the second striker. Fortunately, it worked today, and I hope it continues to work.”
On the expectations for the rest of the season, Peretz, the most experienced player in the squad, said: “I think we are building the team properly. The squad is coming together, and we are shaping what we want to see. In my opinion, more players will arrive before the window closes. Our goal is to gel as a team and be as prepared as possible for the rest of the season and for Europe, to show our very best football.”
Maccabi beat Netanya 4-0
Preview
Following the postponement of the league match against Hapoel Petah Tikva due to the European campaign, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium to host Maccabi Netanya for the match that will open the 2025/26 league season.
Zarko Lazetic made several changes from the side that secured qualification to the Europa League against Dunamo Kyiv on Thursday as Raz Shlomo partnered Ali Camara as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Tyrese Asante and Roy Revivo on the right and left respectively completed Maccabi’s defensive line. Ido Shahar was named alongside Issouf Sissokho in Maccabi’s engine room with Dor Peretz captaining the side at the top of the midfield trio. Osher Davida and Elad Madmon supplied the width on both flanks with Ion Nicolaescu leading the line as the Moldovan international striker still seeking his first official goal in a Maccabi shirt.
On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Ofek Melika, Heitor, Sagiv Jehezkel, Denny Gropper, Kristijan Belic, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman, Itamar Noy and Saied Abu Farchi.
First Half
Prior to kickoff a minute of applauds was held in memory of Dan Margalit, a journalist, media personality and Maccabi fan who died last week at the age of 87. Backed by an almost full to capacity Bloomfield stadium, Maccabi began the match with pressure on Netanya inside their own half. Ali Camara was cautioned by referee Ohad Asulin inside the fourth minute while Netanya’s Hriberto Tavares followed shortly after. It took Maccabi 20 minutes to open the score as Dor Peretz continued his league form from last season. Tyrese Asante split Netanya’s defense open with a perfect pass into the path of Maccabi’s captain whose darting run saw him shrug off a challenge and lift the ball over the hapless Omer Nir’on. Two minutes later Maccabi’s blitz continued as Issouf Sissokho fed Ion Nicolaescu who curled a right foot shot beyond the reach of Nir’on to double the score with his first competitive goal since joining Maccabi in the summer. Netanya’s coach Yossi Abuksis reacted with a double substitution as Amit Cohen and Lucas Fraizu replaced Tavares and Wilson Harris.
Nicolaescu came close to increase his tally on the night in the 36th minute as Peretz picked him unmarked in the middle of the area. The Moldovan striker couldn’t keep his flick down as it sailed over the crossbar. Two minutes later Nicolaescu came even closer as he rose above Netanya’s defense to meet Roy Revivo’s pinpoint cross with a powerful header which Nir’on managed to claw off his line. Inside injury time Elad Madmon who worked tirelessly through the first half saw yellow for a tackle on Netanya’s Seba Hawadajiani.
Second Half
Maccabi’s coach Zarko Lazetic made two changes after the interval as Heitor came on for Ali Camara while Sagiv Jehezkel replaced Madmon at the restart. Just like the first half, the second half began just like the first one with a Maccabi player booked by Asulin – this time it was Peretz who saw yellow. In the 50th minute a Netanya free kick almost cut Maccabi’s lead only for Ido Shahar who somehow managed to hook the ball over for a corner.
Asante came close to open his account as he headed Shahar’s corner from the goalmouth over the crossbar on 58. A minute after the hour mark Maccabi scored the third as Peretz picked the ball just inside Netanya’s half charged forward and drilled a low powerful drive that beat Nir’on to make it 3-0. Peretz could have completed a hatrick within a minute as he chested the ball and sent a shot wide. Lazetic introduced two more players as Shahar and Nicolaescu bowed out to a standing ovation as they were replaced by Itamar Noy and Kristijan Belic. In the 71st minute the two substitutes combined as Belic dribbled down the left, squared to Noy who blasted a powerful left foot shot that rocketed past Nir’on for his debut Maccabi and fourth on the night.
