One of Maccabi’s most experienced players, Avi Rikan, spoke candidly at the end of the 3-0 victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield. Rikan, who didn’t feature too much recently spoke about the season he experienced as he admitted: “There is nothing easy in football, and whoever tells you that has no idea what he is talking about” Rikan said: “This is the situation and one has to learn how to deal with it. This club is bigger and stronger than anyone. Coaching staff and players come and go, while whoever is here must do his best for this club to succeed. This is exactly what I did today and this is what I will do on Saturday as well.”

The 34-year-old midfielder who joined Maccabi in the summer of 2015/16 winning 8 trophies in more than 300 appearances, said: “One has to have here a serious attitude all the time – to try win the duals and the smallest of details which are the things that would always guide Maccabi to be successful. I told my teammates that and that is something which has been brewing with me for a while. I kept on repeating that even in the six matches I did not participate – that we can’t normalise such things. We are a Club that must always win. Everyone must look back and say that this season wasn’t good enough and ensure that everything is done that it doesn’t happen again.”

Rikan, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, spoke about his future when he concluded: “This situation repeats itself every season. It is not pleasant but it is fine. The club will take its’ decisions and I will take mine. If it will suit me, fine, and if it will not, it is also fine. This club is bigger and stronger than everything.”

 

Yonatan Cohen summed up a turbulent season in which he managed only 13 league appearances and scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield. “I had a difficult season to say the least as everyone knows I didn’t play too much. Ultimately we didn’t meet our team goals but it is nice to end our home matches with a sweet taste. To record a convincing victory is nice so I am happy.”

The 26-year-old forward, who returned to Maccabi after a year with Italian outfit Pisa, but spent most of the current season watching his teammates from the sidelines, added: “I worked very hard during this period. I arrived every day at Kiryat Shalom and worked hard, gave a 100% to remove some of the rust I collected. Today we played really well, dominated the game and reached plenty of chances and could have even scored more. We are happy to have won like that so now we have to move on.”

On the question of how he managed to deal with such a frustrating season: “I will not lie, as it was a very tough period with loads of difficult days. I am delighted now for my wife and my family who all stuck with me during this difficult spell as they all embraced me. I am just happy to be back playing and looking ahead at a brighter future.”

 

Preview

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the penultimate League match of the 2022/23 season as MD35 will see them host second place Hapoel Be’ersheva. After the visitors were docked three points by the IFA Disciplinary Court, Maccabi found themselves four points adrift in the table. A victory against a Be’ersheva depleted squad that is plagued with injuries and suspensions thanks to the incidents which followed the end of their victory over Maccabi Haifa – would see Maccabi relaunch the chance of finishing the season in the runners-up spot. Aitor Karanka’s squad is also not short of absentees with Derrick Luckassen joining a long list which already included several first team players: Eran Zahavi, Enric Saborit, Nir Bitton all out injured while Andre Geraldes and Parfait Guiagon both serving a one-match touchline ban.

Dor Turgeman was also missing as the 19-year-old forward is away on international duty with Israel’s Under 19’s for the U-20 World Cup Finals tournament in Argentina. Sheran Yeini, who featured at the heart of defence during last week’s defeat to Maccabi Haifa, kept his place as the veteran skipper led the team out wearing the captain’s armband. Dor Peretz partnered Yeini as the second central defender in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Maor Kandil replaced Geraldes at right-back with Ofir Davidzada completing Maccabi’s back-four at left back. Joris van Overeem was named in the midfield engine room alongside Eyal Golasa with Avi Rikan handed a rare start at the top of the midfield trio. Gabi Kanichowsky who scored Maccabi’s opener at Sammy Ofer, kept his place on the wing with Yonatan Cohen with a rare start of his own, supplied width at the opposite flank. In the absence of Zahavi, Karanka named Djordje Jovanovic as the lone striker with the 23-year-old Serbian forward aiming to add to his seasonal tally of 15 league goals and 23 in all competitions.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, the Spanish coach named: Dan Glazer, Dan Biton, Rares Ilie, Eylon Almog, Shahar Piven, Matan Hozez and two players from the U19’s side – Ilay Tomer and Bar Lin.

Prior to kick-off, Maccabi’s CEO, Sharon Tammam and Team Manager, Yoav Ziv, presented Dan Glazer with a framed shirt marking his 200th appearance for the club.

First Half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot and were given the first chance to score as early as the fourth minute. Eyal Golasa was fouled on the edge of the area by Roei Gordana as referee Gal Leibovic awarded Maccabi a direct free kick in an excellent position to score. Yonatan Cohen stepped-up to take the free but the 26-year-old was let down by his effort which was directed straight at the Be’ersheva wall.

Some slick passing in the 10th minute carved Be’ersheva’s defence open as Gabi Kanichowsky and Avi Rikan exchanged passes to break into the box. The diminutive midfielder squared the ball towards the penalty spot where a misunderstanding between Djordje Jovanovic and Cohen resulted with the latter slicing the ball wide. Four minutes later however the deadlock was finally broken as Cohen switched sides to Davidzada who exchanged passes with Kanichowsky to cut into the box once again. Davidzada cut the ball back for Kanichowsky whose right foot low drive beat Be’ersheva’s keeper to put Maccabi in-front with his fifth league goal and seventh in all competitions. Maccabi’s blitz continued as Cohen was at the start and at the end of move which resulted with the second goal a minute later. With Be’ersheva stunned by the opening goal, Cohen released Avi Rikan and continued his run into the area. In almost carbon copy of Kanichowsky’s goal, Rikan cut the ball back before Eyal Golasa teed-up Cohen whose half volley gave Omri Glazer no chance to make it 2-0 with his first goal of the season.

Be’ersheva reached their first chance on 23 as Tomer Hemmed blasted his effort high and wide while his coach Elyaniv Barda made his first change with Andre Martins replacing Or Dadia.

Maccabi came close to increase the lead as a long pinpoint Daniel Peretz pass four minutes later found Kanichowsky who slid the ball to Rikan but the veteran midfielder couldn’t make enough contact to direct the ball on target.
A well drilled corner on 36 saw Cohen whip-in a dangerous left foot shot forcing Glazer to full stretch before the Israeli international keeper managed to claw the ball out of his goalmouth.

Maccabi continued to dominate frustrating all of Be’ersheva’s efforts to get back into the game. In the 43^rd minute Dor Peretz was booked for holding Hemmed on the halfway line preventing the veteran Be’ersheva striker from breaking forward for a counter attack.

Second Half

With no changes to personnel after the interval, Maccabi began the second half where the first one left off. A Jovanovic cross minutes after the restart was cleared by the visitors’ defence that also managed to clear Rikan’s attempt of a cross. Sheran Yeini and Peretz marshalled the defence frustrating both Hemmed and Ramzi Safuri and allowing Joris van Overeem and Golasa to dominate the midfield. Cohen came close in the 59th minute but his header following a Kanichowsky cross landed on the roof of the net. Three minutes later he flashed a right foot fierce drive which narrowly cleared the crossbar. Karanka made his first substitution in the 64th minute as Jovanovic bowed out to a standing ovation and was replaced by Eylon Almog.

Almog could have scored with his first touch less than sixty seconds later as a perfect counter attack ended with a Rikan cut-back only for the fresh substitute to miscue his shot wide.

Etey Shechter replaced Safuri and was applauded on the pitch by Maccabi’s fans as was Eytan Tibi who blocked a Rikan shot in the 75th minute. The majority of the 12,740 fans at Bloomfield applauded Cohen for his efforts on the night as he was replaced by Dan Biton in the 82^nd minute.

A minute later Almog also opened his account for the season as the 24-year-old forward clinically finished Kanichowsky’s cross to increase Maccabi’s lead to 3-0.
In the closing stages, the visitors were denied twice by a double Peretz saves as first it was Dor who blocked a Gordana close range volley before Daniel pulled a stunning save to deny Patryk Klimala.

A minute later Karanka made a double change as Eyal Golasa and Rikan both bowed out and were replaced by Matan Hozez and Bar Lin who made his league debut.

The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 20^th league victory of the season to take the point tally to 70 points from 35 matches. As the 2022/23 season comes to a close on Saturday, Maccabi’s final match away to Ashdod and Be’ersheva’s home match against Maccabi Netanya will decide the final league standings.

Our history against Hapoel Be’ersheva

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be’ersheva played each other in the league 127 times of which Maccabi won 59, drawn 38 and lost 30. The total goal tally in those matches currently stands on 178-110.

Maccabi hosted Be’ersheva 65 times in the league, winning 36 matches, drawing 19 and losing 10 with a total goal tally of 101-46.

Bloomfield stadium hosted this fixture 42 times in the league with Maccabi winning 20, drawing 17 and losing 5. The total goal tally in those matches at Bloomfield currently stands on 61-29.

Sheran Yeini, holds the club’s appearance record of this fixture as the veteran Maccabi captain played 33 matches against Be’ersheva over the years.

Eighty Maccabi players scored goals against Be’ersheva in the league. Benny Tabak, is leading the goal-scorers chart with 9 goals to his name with Eli Driks is ranked second with 8. Eran Zahavi’s winning goal at Turner when both sides last met, saw him climb to third place with 7 goals alongside Dror Bar Nur and Itzik Zohar.

48 players featured for both sides throughout history as from the current squads: Ofir Davidzada and Dan Biton had spells with Be’ersheva. Eytan Tibi, Dor Micha, Sagiv Yehezkel, Etey Shechter and Eden Shamir all played for Maccabi.

Maccabi’s record on the last home match

In the past 70 seasons, Maccabi’s record on the last home match currently stands on 42 victories, 12 draws and 16 defeats.

Maccabi hosted 24 different opponents for the final home match facing Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Petah Tikva 8 times each.

Monday’s encounter will be the 3^rd time Maccabi hosts Hapoel Be’ersheva for the final home match. Last season MD35 also teamed Maccabi up with Be’ersheva as Eylon Almog scored on the way to a 1-1 draw. A Moshe Schweitzer hattrick in the 1977/78 season leg Maccabi to a 3-2 victory over Be’ersheva.

Maccabi’s highest victories recorded on the final home match were a 7-1 victory over Ashdod (1997/98) at Ramat Gan, and a 6-0 win over Maccabi Haifa (2015/16) at Bloomfield.

Yonatan Cohen, returned to Maccabi in the summer after a disappointing year with Italian second division outfit Pisa and the forward spoke of the turbulent season he underwent. “It is hard to compare between the two seasons as we are dealing with two different clubs at different countries. I went there for two seasons with very high expectations but my time in Italy was a little tough away from home and the family as the situation was tougher. I returned to Maccabi with very high expectations and didn’t think I will have to sit here and answer questions about why I was hardly playing and what a poor season we had. Instead I prefer to look forward to remain positive as I know the future will be good.”

Cohen, who made only 12 league appearances and 16 in all competitions, elaborated on some of the difficulties he encountered: “I try to focus on the positive aspects. My season was not simple to say the least, as injuries held me back and I didn’t play a lot in the previous season as well, so everything I did required an additional step. I still remain very positive and next season I will come to devour the pitch.”

On the lessons he had learned from the previous season, Cohen said: “I learned that life is not easy and one must know how to deal with failures and criticism as well, but I believe it will be ok. Both myself and my teammates know where we failed and what is expected of us so we are looking forward.”

The appointment of Ben Mansford to the role of Chief Executive is something which influenced the career of Cohen at Maccabi during their previous tenures as the club, as the forward admitted: “Ben did amazing things here at the club in the past, not just with the senior side but also at other sectors as he helped promote young players who are here now as the backbone of the team. We know each other well, but it is all up to me now as I will not play because of Ben Mansford as I am going to prove myself in training and on the pitch every day.”

With two matches left until the end of the season against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield and away to Ashdod, Cohen reflected: “We would obviously like to win every match and are disappointed there are no real targets to play for, but as soon as Be’ersheva were deducted points we are aiming as high as possible and for second place. Clearly I would like to prove myself and show the coach I deserve to be here and have a future here.”

Cohen, who is set to feature against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, tried remaining positive: “I learned a lot from this season as when you don’t play it is difficult to build your confidence but I strongly believe in myself and know what I am worth. I feel better now both in training and after doing a few nice things on the pitch when I came on as a substitute against Maccabi Haifa. This gives me confidence ahead of the forthcoming two matches – to finish the season on a high and start the next season at full power.”