Preview

Three days after the dramatic victory over Nice in the first leg of the Conference League Play-Off and four days before the return leg at the Allianz Riviera stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the opening league match against Maccabi Bnei Reineh.

With the return leg in mind, Maccabi’s coach, Vladimir Ivic, made several changes from the team that played Nice as he allowed some of his players a much needed rest against Bnei Reineh.

Daniel Peretz and Enric Saborit were the only two to keep their places in an otherwise totally changed defence which saw Idan Nachmias and Shahar Piven line-up alongside the Spanish defender at the heart of defence. Ofir Davidzada who was introduced as a second half substitute against Nice and Maor Kandil who came on for the final few minutes on Thursday, were named by Ivic on the left and right respectively.

After serving his one-match touchline ban, Dan Glazer, who was limited to a spectator’s role against Nice, led the team out with the captain’s armband. Alongside Glazer at the heart of midfield, Ivic named Avi Rikan as the 33-year-old started his 8th season at Maccabi. 18-year-old Oscar Gloukh, was handed his first start this season at the top of the midfield trio and right behind the two strikers. Upfront, Ivic stuck with his Balkan duo Djordje Jovanovic and Stipe Perica in a bid to emulate the striking partnership which led to the winning goal against Nice.

Dor Peretz who returned to the club last week after a year in Italy, was included in the squad for the first time as the 27-year-old waited for his renewed debut on the bench. Alongside Perertz, Ivic named Eran Zahavi, Dan Biton, Gabi Kanichowsky, Brandley Kuwas, Parfait Guiagon, Sheran Yeini, Andre Geraldes and goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum as substitutes waiting for their chance.

Prior to kickoff however, Zahavi was withdrawn from the squad after not feeling well as he was replaced on the bench by Dor Turgeman.

First Half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot as it took Vladimir Ivic’s side four minutes to create the first chance. Enric Saborit sent a perfect through ball that carved Bnei Reineh’s defence open to release Djordje Jovanovic through on goal. But before the Serbian striker could have a shot on goal the visitors’ cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner Maccabi took the lead as the combination between Saborit and Jovanovic led to the opening goal. Oscar Gloukh whipped in the corner before Saborit flicked with his head at the near post allowing Jovanovic to head home from point blank range. Boosted by the early goal, Maccabi came close to double their lead as Bnei Reineh’s defence struggle to clear an Ofir Davidzada cross from the left which fell to Jovanovic and then Avi Rikan before Oscar Gloukh blasted a shot wide.

Maccabi continued to dominate and doubled their lead in the 16^th minute at the end of a spectacular clinical move. Shahar Piven released Maor Kandil down the right flank before the right-back perfectly timed square ball allowed Stipe Perica who had an earlier effort ruled out for offside, blast his shot past Arik Yanko and into the roof of the net.

In the 29th minute Saborit cut through Reineh’s defence to release Jovanovic once again. The 23-year-old Serbian striker skipped past Yanko, but his attempt to leave Perica infront of an empty goal was blocked by a Bnei Reineh defender.

Jovanovic grabbed his second and Maccabi’s third in spectacular fashion on 37 as he timed his run to perfection and meet Piven’s ball over the Bnei Reineh’s defence before dinking it over Yanko.

The visitors’ had a rare chance on goal in the 40^th minute as Sambinha’s close range header forced Daniel Peretz to save on his goal-line before Issac Nortey blasted the rebound over the crossbar.
On the stroke of halftime Jovanovic turned provider as he set up Maccabi’s fourth goal for Rikan with a delicate floated ball. Rikan, controlled the ball with one touch and with his second touch sent the looping shot over Yanko to make it 4-0.

Second Half

Ivic made one substitution after the interval as Jovanovic who scored a brace and set up another was replaced by Brandley Kuwas at the restart. Two minutes later, Gloukh broke into the Bnei Reineh penalty area but his shot which was blocked by a defender struck the side netting. The 17,740 fans at Bloomfield were on their feet in the 57th minute as Ivic made a double substitution introducing Parfait Guiagon for Dan Glazer who worked tirelessly in midfield. Rikan made way for Dor Peretz who made his renewed debut since returning to the club last week.

In the 62^nd minute, Reineh were reduced to 10 men after Ashraf Rabah was sent off for a second bookable offence following a mistimed tackle on Kandil. Saborit and Kandil were both given a standing ovation as Ivic made his fourth and fifth substitutions on the night replacing the two defenders with Andre Geraldes and Dan Biton on 69.

After scoring four goals in the first half, Maccabi came close to increase their lead in the 75th minute as Kuwas floated a cross into the area. Gloukh and Perica ghosted through at the far post, before the tall Croat directed his header straight at the keeper. Four minutes later Yanko could do nothing to prevent Perica from scoring Maccabi’s fifth as Gloukh broke into the area cut the ball back for Perica who slotted home his second on the night.

Guiagon and Gloukh who tormented Reineh’s defenders with their flicks almost set up the sixth but Yanko saved the youngster’s snap shot on 85. Inside injury time Gloukh tried a shot which struck a defender before ballooning over the bar as the final action of an entertaining game. With a 5-0 victory in the opening league match, Maccabi now face a completely different challenge as they turn their attention to Thursday’s Conference League Play-Off.

Eduardo Guerrero joined Beitar Jerusalem until the end of the 2022/23 after an agreement was reached between the two clubs for the loan deal of the 22-year-old Panamanian forward

The morning after the impressive Conference League 1-0 victory over Nice at Bloomfield, Maccabi Tel Aviv is already preparing for their next task. On Sunday, Maccabi hosts newly promoted side Maccabi Bnei Reineh at Bloomfield (20:15) for a match which will kick-off the 2022/23 league season. Today (Friday) Maccabi held a special press conference ahead of the new season which was attended by the owner Mitch Goldhar, Head of the Football Department, Barak Itzahki and coach Vladimir Ivic.

On the summer transfer window, Itzhaki said: “Up until now I think that we have some good moves, we began working earlier than we did in previous seasons and I am delighted with the signings we have made. I think we took a good path, especially with the return of several senior Israeli players to Maccabi Tel Aviv. They are very good players who could help us a lot but also players with a lot of character. This is something significant that we witnessed in our recent matches especially yesterday when we played against a team with so much quality. We showed character and determination but also quality that helped us deal with complex situations. Up until now I am happy, but haven’t completed the building of the team just yet as will be more changes”.

On the race for the league title Itzhaki added: “I am not looking at other clubs, but we must focus on ourselves, on what we do and if we continue in this way, with a few minor tweaks this season will be much better than the previous two years”.

With regards to the three senior strikers Maccabi has in Eran Zahavi, Stipe Perica and Djordje Jovanovic, Itzhaki said: “I agree that this is not a normal situation that you have three strikers of such caliber but every coach is happy to have so much quality at his disposal, especially in attack. I am happy they are bringing results and hope they continue to score more goals in the future”.

On the current situation regarding the foreign players registered at the club: “It is true that the domestic rule allows us to register only 6 foreign players, so in the event we sign another foreigner we will have to release one from our squad, but for the moment we are focusing on Sunday’s match. I don’t want took too far ahead, and if there will be changes I am sure you will be updated. Bringing players to Israel is not a simple matter. we are aiming at good quality players and sometimes there are issues that develop along the way. This season we negotiated with several players, but sadly it didn’t work out. The most important matter for us was to first sign the best Israeli players and continue completing the jigsaw at a later stage – if and when we chose to do so”.

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium ahead of the Conference League Play-Off against OGC Nice knowing that only a good result in the first leg at home could leave them with a chance of reaching the Group stages. Backed by an almost packed to full capacity Bloomfield stadium including club owner Mitch Goldhar in attendance, Maccabi’s fans showed their presence.

Inspired by the support Aris Thessaloniki gave their team in Greece last week, Maccabi fans intended to have their support heard as well as seen. Coach Vladimir Ivic made two changes from the starting line-up that managed to advance past Aris, one of them forced as midfielder Dan Glazer sat out his one-match suspension.

Ivic’s defence remained unchanged for the second match in succession with Sheran Yeini, Nir Bitton, and Enric Saborit lining-up as the three central defenders right in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Andre Geraldes on the right and Matan Hozez on the left continued to supply the width in Ivic’s side. Joris van Overeem, Eyal Golasa and Gabi Kanichowsky were named as Maccabi’s midfield trio in the engine room aiming to battle with their French counterparts. Eran Zahavi, who scored a goal in each one of the two matches he came on as a substitute was handed his first start replacing Brandley Kuwas who dropped to the bench. Alongside Zahavi, Ivic named Djordje Jovanovic as the young Serbian striker would try and strike an attacking partnership with the veteran Israeli marksman.

On the bench and alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Ivic named Idan Nachmias, Stipe Perica, Dan Biton, Brandley Kuwas, Parfait Guiagon, Avi Rikan, Ofir Davidzada, Maor Kandil, Shahar Piven, Dor Turgeman and Oscar Gloukh all waiting for a chance to make an impact.

First Half

Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention against a star-studded Nice side packed with top international players. From Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, defenders Dante and Jenclair Todibo to midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Kephren Thuram. Maccabi tried moving the ball against the French side that finished last season in fifth place, aiming for Eran Zahavi and Djordje Jovanovic.

But the longer the match continued Nice began showing their quality and stamping their authority on the game. Gabi Kanichowsky, Joris van Overeem and Eyal Golasa grafted in midfield with Matan Hozez and Andre Geraldes trying to close Nice’s wide men who kept charging forward through the channels. In the 20th minute, Daniel Peretz was drawn into action as he was forced to a fingertip save denying Thuram’s close range header following a Ramsey corner.

Less than a minute later, Peretz was beaten by a low powerful Andy Delorte drive which struck the base of the post only for Rares Ilie to rifle the rebound high into the stand. A minute short of the half hour mark Nice carved Maccabi’s defence open with a perfect pass before releasing Ramsey. With only Peretz to beat, the Welsh International tried picking his spot only to be denied by Maccabi’s keeper who turned the ball out for a corner.

In the 35th minute Jovanovic had the ball in the back of Shmeichel’s net but the goal was ruled out for offside. Within two minutes Maccabi had the fans on their feet as Sheran Yeini had an effort blocked inside the area, before a Golasa cross from the left which flashed wide of Shmeichel’s post after Joris van Overeem couldn’t connect.

With no goals before the break, Dutch referee Allard Lindhout sent both team to regroup during halftime.

Second Half

Ivic made his first change after the break as Ofir Davidzada replaced Matan Hozez at the restart. Davidzada tried attacking down the left a couple of occasions but he was let down by his final delivery. Nir Bitton who showed composure at the back spreading the ball around, had a rare shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the tall central defender couldn’t keep his shot down. Ramsey sent a header wide of the post on 56 as Nice continued to look dangerous.

Maccabi enjoyed some good moments as Nice coach Lucien Favre made a double substitution in the 65^th minute, introducing Amine Gouri and Billal Brahimi for Ilie and Calvin Stegs. A Bitton foul on Gouiri on 67 allowed Delorte a direct free kick which he blasted on goal, but Peretz took the sting out of the shot and caught eventually. Ivic responded with a double change of his own as Van Overeem and Eran Zahavi bowed out and were replaced by Parfait Guiagon and Stipe Perica in the 68^th minute.

Guiagon livened things up a little as he added a bit of oomph into the midfield with Jovanovic trying to curl a left foot shot on 72 but Shmeichel collected with ease. Two minutes later however Bloomfield erupted and the whole stadium was rocking as a Sheran Yeini long ball out of defence saw Jovanivic flick a header into the path of Perica who lifted it over Shmeichel to break the deadlock.

Boosted by the lead, Maccabi continued to push forward as Melvin Bard hooked a ball off his line to deny Maccabi a second on 75. Perica managed to peel off three defenders and break forward before the ball reached Jovanovic whose snap shot was directed straight at Shmeichel. The Serbian striker who ran out of steam came off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Brandley Kuwas for the final five minutes. Nice tried desperately to level the score but Maccabi defended bravely and protected Peretz’s goal.

Inside injury time Geraldes received his standing ovation as he was replaced by Maor Kandil for the final two minutes. Allard Lindhout’s full-time whistle saw then 27,000 fans celebrate the precious victory despite the fact that job is only half complete.

Daniel Peretz who kept a clean sheet against Nice at Bloomfield to ensure Maccabi takes a lead to the return leg in France next week. “It is a great but we didn’t qualify as this is only halftime” Peretz said. “I played a good game, the entire team has, we gave everything on the pitch and really hope to continue doing so on Sunday (against Maccabi Bnei Reineh in the league) and on Thursday (against Nice)”.

On the experience of playing on a special European night, Maccabi’s young keeper, added: “This is not just another game of football, but we are not scared of any team. We respect every opponent and I love these type of games as it pushes you to the edge against top international players”.

Stipe Perica, who made a second half substitute appearance before scoring the winning goal, added: “It is too early as we only played the first game of a two legged tie. We expect a tough match in the return leg as we will have to remain focused in order to ensure we don’t lose. They are a very good team with some excellent players. In my opinion this is the best team I played against during my tenure at Maccabi as they deserve a lot of respect”.