Sheran Yeini is in his 19th season at Maccabi Tel Aviv as the 36-year-old defender admits that a local derby is always exciting and emotional. On Tuesday, arch city rivals Hapoel hosts Maccabi at Bloomfield for the first Tel Aviv derby of the 2023/24 season. Yeini, who played in numerous derbies in his long career, reflected on the preparations for such a game: “A derby is the easiest match to prepare for in terms of motivation. There is plenty of tactical work to prepare for. Hapoel had a good start to the campaign as they are an organized side which had good results so far. We must do the right preparations, arrive for this match tactically ready, focused and try dominate the game to complete our job.”

With the derby taking place a day after Yom Kippur, Yeini admitted that this is something he had experienced in the past: “It will certainly be challenging for both teams as the game is right after Yom Kippur. But I believe this will not have an affect on either side. Coaches used to tell us in the past and rightly so: ‘at matches like this one must keep his heart warn and head cool. We will need to go all out in terms of emotions and feelings because this is what could win you the match. But on the other hand, we must be smart and know when is the right moment to do so. When we are dominant or have the right momentum, this is where our experience will have to play its part.”

Maccabi’s Head Coach Robbie Keane summed up the 3-2 victory over Breidablik in the opening group stage match at Bloomfield. “There are no easy matches in this competition. We took the three points and that is the important thing”

 

 

 Preview:

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the opening Conference League group stage match against Icelandic outfit Breidablik with a clear intention of getting this phase of the competition off to a winning start. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Robbie Keane, made four changes from the side which was held to a 1-1 draw by Maccabi Bnei Reineh in the league.

Roi Mishpati kept his place in goal with Enric Saborit and Derrick Luckassen lining up as the two central defenders Infront of him. Roy Revivo stepped back into the side at left-back with Yvann Macon completing Maccabi’s back-four on the right. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role together with Dor Peretz and Dan Biton who returned to the starting line-up were Maccabi’s midfield trio. Osher Davida made his debut start on one wing with Felicio Milson supplying te width on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband as the veteran marksman spearheaded Maccabi’s attack.

On the bench Keane named Daniel Tenenbaum, Avishai Cohen, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Yonatan Cohen, Gabi Kanichowsky, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Dabidzada, Ido Shahar and Nir Bitton.

First Half

In a bid to get off to a good start Maccabi began the match with pressure on Breidablik’s defence, yet none of their efforts in the early stages caused a threat on goal. In the 11th minute however Yvann Macon produced an amazing strike that didn’t lack power or accuracy to break the deadlock. The French right-back picked the ball some 25 meters away from goal before unleashing a thunderbolt that rocketed past Anton Einarsson into the top corner to open his account.

Dan Biton rifled a shot that struck the side netting minutes later but on 24th the fans were back on their feet to celebrate the second. Joris van Overeem squared the ball to Eran Zahavi in the middle of the area before the 36-year-old turned his marker and found the bottom corner with a clinical finish.

Two minutes after the half-hour mark Maccabi made it 3-0 as Biton began the move down the right before sending the ball to Zahavi whose heavy touch saw it reach Dor Peretz. The midfielder broke into the box, but his effort was blocked only for Biton to slide in the rebound.

The visitors cut the deficit in the 44th after a quick move down the left side of Maccabi’s defense left Breidablik’s striker Klaemint Olsen with an easy tap-in to make it 3-1. On the stroke of halftime, Peretz was first to meet Biton’s free kick, but the midfielder couldn’t keep his header on target as the ball sailed over.

Second Half

With no changes after the interval to either side, the second half began with Breidablik looking dangerous mostly from set pieces. Maccabi on the other hand, came close four minutes after restart as Biton raced through and slid the ball to Milson whose effort was saved by Einarsson.

In the 55th minute the Icelanders punished Maccabi as Olsen was left unmarked at the far post to head in a corner to cut the deficit even further with his second of the game.

Olsen continued to be Breidablik’s dangerman as he fired a low powerful drive in the 61st minute which was equalled by Mishpati. Maccabi’s coach Robbie Keane reacted and made a double substitution as he introduced Avishai Cohen for Macon while Yonatan Cohen was introduced for Osher Davida on 64.

The visitors refused to break down despite the hot and humid weather conditions while Maccabi couldn’t find a clinical pass to open Breidablik’s defence. Keane made another change as Gabi Kanichowsky replaced Biton on 77. Three minutes later Roy Revivo skipped past a defender and left Enric Saborit with only the keeper to beat but Einarsson charged off his line to deny the Spanish defender.

Zahavi came off to a standing ovation while the introduction of Dor Turgeman on 87 raised a cheer from the 18,558 fans at Bloomfield. Turgeman looked lively twisting and turning a defender in the box before Milson forced a save from Einarsson.

The match against Breidablik will kick off Maccabi’s ninth appearance in a European group phase – more than any other Israeli side.

Maccabi will feature in the Conference League group phase for the second time, having played 5 times in the Europa League group stages (2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2020/21) Maccabi also featured in the Champions League group stage twice (2004/05 and 2015/16).

Maccabi’s record in the group stages currently stands on:

Conference League: Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 1.

Europa League: Won 9, Drawn 8, Lost 13.

Champions League: Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 10.

Maccabi advanced from the group stage on three occasions: Europa League (2013/14 and 2020/21) and Conference League (2021/22).

Up until the season Maccabi faced 22 clubs from 18 different countries (Villareal and Dynamo Kiev twice in two different seasons). Two of the three opponents Maccabi will face this season KAA Gent of Belgium and Breidablik of Iceland are from countries Maccabi didn’t play against in the group stages.

Breidablik with be the first Icelandic side to play Maccabi in the group stage and third in European competitions.

Maccabi played Keflavik in the Qualifying round of the Cup Winners Cup (1994/95) winning 6-2 on aggregate.

Maccabi also met KR Reykjavik in the Europa League 2^nd qualifying round of the 2017/18 season winning 5-1 on with Vidar Kjartansson, the only Iceland player to play for Maccabi, scoring one of the goals.

Maccabi’s highest victory in the Conference League group stage was a 5-0 win over Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki in the 2021/22 season.

Sheran Yeini leads the list of players to have represented Maccabi in the group stages with 27 appearances.

Eran Zahavi and Baruch Dego are the leading Maccabi goal scorers in group stages with 4 goals each.