Preview:
Maccabi returned to the TSC Arena in Backa Topola for the MD5 Europa League home match against French side Olympique Lyon.
With his side still seeking their first victory in the league phase, Maccabi’s Head Coach Zarko Lazetic made several changes from the side that suffered a 6-2 league defeat to Beitar Jerusalem.

Roi Mishpati who was sent off against Beitar and will serve his one-match touchline-ban at Ashdod on Sunday, kept his place in goal. With Ali Camara still recovering from the rib injury he suffered during the last Europa League 2-0 defeat away to Aston Villa, Lazetic named Raz Shlomo and Heitor dos Santos as the two central defenders. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line aiming to contain the French side.

Ben Lederman was named in the anchorman role with Ido Shahar partnering him in the midfield engine room. Dor Peretz led the team out with the captain’s armband in a more attacking role at the top of the midfield trio. The 30-year-old skipper making his 84th appearance in European competitions for Maccabi equaled the appearance record of Sheran Yeini.

Osher Davida and Helio Varela supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation with Saied Abu Farchi who scored in this stadium against Dinamo Zagreb, leading the attack. On the bench Lazetic named goalkeepers Yoav Gerafi and Ofek Melika as well as Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Kristijan Belic, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harosh, Issouf Sissokho, Itamar Noy, Itai Ben Hemo, Ilai Ben Simon and Ion Nicolaescu.

First Half:
Maccabi couldn’t have wished for a worse start as they suffered an early blow with Lyon taking the lead inside the opening five minutes. Corentine Toliso broke into the box from the right and fired a shot across goal which was initially saved by Roi Mishpati before the ball reached Abner Vinicius who tapped into the net from point blank range. Maccabi got themselves into the game as Dor Peretz fired a shot which narrowly missed the target in the 13th minute. Martin Satriano rose high above Maccabi’s to head a cross in the 15th minute which sailed wide before a Ben Lederman perfectly timed tackle managed to prevent a Lyon player from breaking into the box and facing Mishpati. Mathys De Carvalho blasted a shot wide on 15 while Tolisso came close to double Lyon’s lead from close range in the 21st minute as the visitors’ qualities were evident for all to see.

In the 25th minute Maccabi’s defense struggled to clear the danger before a Vinicius delicate chip managed to loop over Mishpati allowing Tolisso to flick with his head at the far post and double the score. Osher Davida was booked by Estonian referee Kristo Tohver for a foul on De Carvalho in the 27th minute before Lazetic was forced to make his first change as Helio Varela limped off and replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel.

Three minutes after the half hour Tohver awarded Lyin a penalty as Roy Revivo was judged to have fouled Pavel Sulc. Jehezkel was booked for dissent before Moussa Niakhate stepped up, sent Mishpati the wrong way to give Lyon a 3-0 lead.

In the 40th minute a Maccabi attack saw Ido Shahar slip the ball to Peretz who blasted a shot which sailed high over the crossbar.

Three minutes later Davida burst into the Lyon box and as he cut into the middle trying to get a shot on target, frustratingly saw it blocked by Peretz before it could reach the goal.

Second Half:
Lazetic made one change after the interval adding a fresh pair of legs into the midfield as Itamar Noy replaced Lederman at the restart.

Four minutes later Lyon scored the fourth as Sulc turned provider with a delicate cross which was met by Tolisso’s powerful header that beat Mishpati. Toliso completed his hattrick in the 54th minute as he swept the ball home past Mishpati for Lyon’s fifth. Lazetic made a double change as Noam Ben Harosh replaced Revivo while Ion Nicolaescu came on for Davida.

Two minutes after the hour mark two of Lyon’s substitutes combined for the sixth as Khalis Merah floated a cross to the far post where Adam Karabec chested it down and beat Mishpati with an accurate volley.

Maccabi came close on 64 as Nicolaescu squared to Peretz whose right foot shot beat goalkeeper Remy Descamps but shaved the top of the crossbar. Noy was booked in the 69th minute for a foul on De Carvalho inside the center circle.

Lazetic made his fifth and final change as Peretz was replaced by Kervin Andrade in the 74th minute.

Inside injury time Jehezkel was sent off for two bookable offences to round off a miserable night overall. The full time whistle ended the contest as attention now turns to Sunday’s league match away to Ashdod.

Yellow Friday is here. The yellow tradition continues as Maccabi Tel Aviv once again participates this year in the biggest shopping event in the world, with I-N-S-A-N-E deals.

Our hot SALE includes hundreds of different Yellow-and-Blue products waiting for you at better-than-ever attractive prices between November 27th and November 30th.

The sale takes place on the official online store and, of course, at the club’s flagship store at Bloomfield Stadium as well.

The surprise of the year: Mystery MatchWorn!

Yellow Friday 2025 brings you the opportunity to touch history with surprising Maccabi shirts!

An original match shirt (Match Worn / Match Issue) prepared specifically for the team’s players for League and European matches in previous seasons, at a single, one-time price of only NIS 399!

Oscar Gloukh? Eran Zahavi? Sheran Yeini? Or perhaps Avi Strul or Aaron Schoenfeld? You won’t know whose jersey it is until you open the parcel, and that’s the magic! The product is sold completely at random, comes with an official certificate of authenticity, and stock is limited. If you wait, you will miss out!

YELLOW FRIDAY discounts

• Up to 80% off a variety of products on the website

• Daily Flash Sale offers at insane prices until midnight, worth following!

• 10% off the 25/26 winter collection by Maccabi and PUMA

• Product categories priced at up to NIS 10, NIS 59, NIS 99, and NIS 199.

• Up to 80% off the retro collection

• Special discounts on the 25/26 training collection

• Accessories and gifts at unmissable prices

• Free deliveries on orders over NIS 249.

• And of course, as always, expect more surprises!

Please note that product stock is limited, and items cannot be ordered once stock runs out.

Purchases may be made via PayPal or credit card.

In addition, self-pickup is available at the club stores at Bloomfield Stadium and Kiryat Shalom. Click here for store opening hours.

Please note: As previously announced, the FOREVER gift voucher is not included as a payment option during the promotion period.

For Frequently Asked Questions about Yellow Friday, click here.

Watch Lazetic speak

 

Watch Heitor dos Santos

Maccabi continues its journey in the Europa League as traveled to Belgrade today (Wednesday) in preparation for the home match against Olympique Lyon as part of the EUROPA League phase MD5.

Earlier this morning, the team held its final training session at Kiryat Shalom training complex before heading for Ben Gurion Airport. This evening, Maccabi will hold the pre-match Press Conference ahead of the match at the TSC Arena.

Maccabi will aim to add to the point collected after the 0-0 draw on MD1 away to PAOK in Thessaloniki, which was followed by three defeats to Dinamo Zagreb, FC Midtjylland, and Aston Villa. Olympic Lyon, on the other hand, began their EUROPA League phase campaign with three victories: 1–0 away to Utrecht, 2–0 at home over Red Bull Salzburg, and 2–0 at home over FC Basel. on MD4 Lyon suffered a 2–0 defeat to the Spanish club, Real Betis.

Denny Gropper sustained a knee injury during training and, following an evaluation by the club’s medical staff, it has been confirmed that he has suffered a tear to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Gropper will undergo surgery in the near future and will then begin his rehabilitation process within the club. Everyone at the club wishes him a smooth procedure and a speedy, successful return to full fitness.

ISSTA Sport and Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club have renewed their partnership for an additional season — the eighth straight year of cooperation. Under the agreement, the travel group will continue to manage all international travel arrangements for the club’s European fixtures. This includes assistance in planning flights, coordinating accommodation and logistics for Club delegation, as well as providing official fan packages that include direct flights, hotels, and match tickets.

Ido Vage, CEO of ISSTA Sport Group, said: “We are proud to continue our long-standing journey with Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club and to provide a comprehensive suite of ground, aviation, and travel services throughout the season. Even during challenging times, we have proven our ability to overcome every obstacle together, and we will continue to offer fans a unique experience when traveling abroad with the team, while ensuring the players and staff have the best possible conditions for success.”

Jack Angelides CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC said: Continuing into the eighth year of any partnership speaks for itself. Travelling to our European matches in these difficult times has raised complexities that require flexibility and initiative. ISSTA Sport working in close cooperation with the Club have managed to exhibit these traits and have dealt with the various challenges in a professional and diligent manner.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv is happy to announce the signing of Itay Ben Hemo on a three-year-deal with an option to extend by two more seasons. Ben Hamo (23) a product of the club’s Youth Academy who captained Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shahar’ (U-19’s), gained experience during loan spells over the past four seasons.

Afte signing his new contract Ben Hemo told the club’s official website: “After several loan deals that toughened me up and strengthened me, I am pleased to be part of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s senior squad and sign another contract with the club in which I was grew up. As a strong believer in hard work, I will continue to do everything in my power to wear the yellow jersey and to assist the team to the best of my ability.”

Ben Hemo joined Bnei Sakhnin on loan initially for the second half of 2023/24 before rejoining last season during which time he made a total of 45 appearances scoring four goals. Ben Hemo scored 8 goals in 56 appearances during an 18-month-long loan-spell with second division side Ironi Ramat Hasharon. He made his senior debut in the 2021/22 season at Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam and went on to make a total of 32 appearances in all competitions.    

Ben Hemo featured 3 times for the Israel U21 national team and an additional 21 international appearance for the young Israel sides (U17’s and 18’s) for which he scored 2 goals.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is happy to announce the signing of Saied Abu Farchi on a three-year-deal with an option to extend by two more seasons.

Abu Farchi, a product of Maccabi’s Youth Academy who scored 2 goals in 10 appearances in all competitions this season, said after signing his new contract: “I am delighted to continue my path at the Club where I grew up, which provided me with all the tools I needed to succeed in the senior side. Now, all that remains is for me to continue the hard work in order to achieve success with the team in all

competitions”.After an impressive record of 35 goals in 73 matches for Maccabi’s U16’s and U17’s, Abu Farchi made his senior Maccabi debut in August 2023 during a Conference League qualifier against Celje. Shortly after making his Maccabi league debut against Bnei Reineh in January 2024, Abu Farchi joined second division side SC Kafr Qasim on loan for the second half of the season where he scored 3 goals in 13 appearances. Last season during a loan spell with Bnei Reineh, Abu Farchi completed a full season in the top-flight scoring 6 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions.

Abu Farchi is a member of the Israel Under 21 squad for which he made 8 appearances. He represented the young Israeli national sides at U-19, U-17 and U-16 levels making a total of 28 international appearances where he scored 6 goals.

 

Goals from Ilay Ben Simon (43) and Ben Lederman (59) helped Maccabi to a 2-1 friendly victory over Hapoel Petah at Kiryat Shalom.

Without eight international players who were given extra leave following their involvement with their respective national teams: Roy Revivo, Dor Peretz, Raz Shlomo, Denny Gropper, Noam Ben Harush, Saied Abu Farchi, Ion Nicolaescu and Helio Varela, Zarko Lazetic gave playing minutes to his squad.

Ilay Ben Simon opened the scoring just before the break with a well taken shot that went in off the post to beat Omer Katz and put Maccabi in-front. Shavit Mazal leveled for Petah Tikva shortly after the restart while Ben Lederman curled a left foot shot into the top corner in the 59^th minute.  

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Yoav Gerafi (Ofek Melika 57), Tyrese Asante, Heitor Dos Santos (Liran Spiegel 63), Itay Ben Hemo, Avishay Cohen, Issouf Sissokho (Itamar Noy 46), Ben Lederman (Liroy Abribaiya 69), Ilay Ben Simon, Osher Davida (Sagiv Jehezkel 46), Elad Madmon (Yonas Malede 57).