A week after the 2-0 victory over Aris in the first leg at Bloomfield, Maccabi’s coach Vladimir Ivic named an unchanged side for the return leg at Aris’ Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium. With a place in the Conference League Play-Offs and a tie with French outfit OGC Nice at stake, Maccabi knew that lead they have will not be enough.
Sheran Yeini led the team out wearing the captain’s armband on his 79th match for Maccabi in European competitions. Alongside Yeini, Ivic named Enric Saborit and Nir Bitton as two more central defenders in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Andre Geraldes on the right and Matan Hozez on the left supplied the width in Maccabi’s back-line as a right and left wing-backs respectively.
Dan Glazer, Joris van Overeem and Gabi Kanichowsky were all named by Ivic as the midfield engine-room trio at the center of the park. Brandley Kuwas and Djordje Jovanovic spearheaded the attack in an attempt to grab the goals which will see Maccabi through to the next round.
On the bench waited Idan Nachmias, Eran Zahavi, Stipe Perica, Dan Biton, Eylon Almog, Parfait Guiagon, Avi Rikan, Eyal Golasa, Maor Kandil, Roy Revivo and Oscar Gloukh.
First Half
The electric atmosphere at the Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium which was almost packed to its 22,800 capacity by the passionate Aris Thessaloniki supporters was infused by a fireworks display as both teams walked on the pitch. Maccabi’s traveling fans of around 700 fans who were positioned high in one of the corners, didn’t stay far behind with a pyrotechnics display of their own after kickoff.
The visitors began the match with pressure on Maccabi’s players who struggled to break out of their own half in the opening stages. When Maccabi finally managed to break through, Joris van Overeem found Brandley Kuwas who charged forward in the 7th minute but instead of testing the keeper tried sliding the ball to Gabi Kanichowsky allowing the Aris defence to clear.
A minute later Daniel Peretz was called into action as Maccabi’s keeper collected a Cheik Doukoure low powerful drive from the edge of the area. Kuwas had a shot that sailed wide of the target in the 11th minute as Maccabi began to show some composure looking more and more dangerous.
Enric Saborit became the first player to be booked by Scottish referee John Beaton for a foul on Aris’ Palma Oseguera who charged down the right flak but was brought down in the 15th minute near the corner flag. Van Overeem was also booked in the 23rd minute for a mistimed tackle on Moses Odubajo awarding Aris a free kick 25 meters away from Maccabi’s goal. Oseguera blasted his free kick above the wall and beyond the reach of Peretz but the ball rattled the crossbar as the momentum began shifting towards the hosts.
Peretz needed a double save on 42 collect Odubajo’s dangerous square ball across the face of his goal before any Aris player could get a touch. Inside injury time Andre Geraldes had a shot blocked by an Aris defender after Djordje Jovanovic brought the ball down and exchanged passes with Kuwas. Within a minute Maccabi created a chance on the opposite flank as Saborit broke into the area but his attempt of a shot from a tight angle was blocked. Beaton blew the halftime whistle to send both teams to cool down in the dressing rooms before the second half.
Second Half
With no changes at half time Macabi began the 2nd half where they left off as a Matan Hozez dangerous cross from the left in the 46th minute reached Geraldes unmarked at the far post. But the Portugeuse’ full-back attempt of a square ball was punched away by the Aris keeper. A minute later Jovanovic was booked by Beaton who had judged the Serbian striker to have fouled an Aris defender.
Hozez was also booked by Beaton in the 52nd minute for an obstruction on goalkeeper Julian but two minutes later at the opposite end, Aris were awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances. Beaton didnt award the spot kick initially but his linesman signalled for the infringement. As if that wasn’t enough, Dan Glazer was shown the red card as did Maccabi’s team manager Yoav Ziv. After matters had calmed down a little, Andre Gray stepped up and successfully slotted his spot kick past Peretz to put Aris infront and cut the aggregate deficit to 2-1.
With Maccabi down to 10 men and around 30 minutes still left to play, Ivic made a double change as Eyal Golasa replaced Kuwas and Eran Zahavi came in for Jovanovic. Golasa almost made an immediate impact as a corner which was headed by Saborit and cleared by the Aris defence, was headed by the Maccabi midfielder wide of the post on 67.
Golasa was also booked by Beaton on 73 but within a minute Zahavi silenced the majority of the stadium while Maccabi’s travelling fans were celebrating. Kanichowsky carved Aris defence open with a perfect through ball to Zahavi who kept his calm before finding the bottom corner to level the score on the night and increase Maccabi’s aggregate lead to 3-1.
Hozez who worked tirelessly down the left flank was replaced by Maor Kandil in the 76th minute with Kanichowsky switching left back. Peretz was once again called into action as he charged off his goal line in the 79th minute to dive and Gray’s feet and clear the striker who was running clear. But a minute later, Odubajo stripped Kanichowsky of the ball before finding Doukoure who squeezed it past Peretz to restore Aris’ lead.
Ivic made another double change on 89 as Van Overeem and Kanichowsky were both replaced by Avi Rikan and Dan Biton. The fourth official indicated 7 minutes of added time as Maccabi’s players were forced to defend and try and weather the storm. Beaton’s full time whistle couldn’t have come any sooner for Maccabi’s players as the celebrations began on the pitch and in the away section of the stadium.
