The power of Bloomfield

A glance at the history books shows the great strength Maccabi has at Bloomfield stadium, especially when it is beginning to fill up with thousands of fans who created yesterday an amazing atmosphere.

In the last 49 outings at Bloomfield, Maccabi suffered only a solitary league defeat. Maccabi Petah Tikva inflicted Maccabi that defeat in the opening league match of the season.

Up until this season, the smallest number of defeats Maccabi suffered over 49 home matches stood on 3 (2014/15 season).

48 points from a possible 54

Patrick van Leeuwen continued his outstanding run with his current record at Maccabi – 15 victories and 3 draws from 18 matches, is already the best in the clubs’ history.

Last night Van Leeuwen reached 48 points from a possible 54 – an achievement Maccabi reached in the past 60 years only once (2018/19 season).

Gurrero’s first brace

Eduardo Gurrero scored his first brace in Maccabi’s senior side to take his tally to 5 goals in all competitions this season.

Gurrero’s spectacular goal which gave Maccabi a 2-1 lead was his first goal from outside the penalty area and the 5^th league goal Maccabi scored from outside the box.

The Panamanian forward led Maccabi’s players in the number of threats on goal (6) – with all of them on target.

For the first time since Avi Nimni’s farewell match (17.05.2008) Maccabi managed to beat Maccabi Petah Tikva after scoring a winning goal after the 80^th minute.

  

Eduardo Geurrero experienced an eventful night at Bloomfield stadium. The 21-year-old Panamanian scored a spectacular wonder goal in the 84th minute to lead Maccabi to a crucial 3-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva at Bloomfield stadium. Guerrero’s ability on the night earned him the FACTORY 54 Man Of The Match award before giving his angle to the proceedings. “I would like to, first and foremost, thank god” Guerrero said. “This match was like a cup final for us. Only if we stick together we could win and achieve our goal”.

When asked if this was a championship winning goal, Guerrero replied: “No, this was a goal that only won us a single match. Every day and in every training session we give our best in order to reach the place we would like to be in”.

Pre Match

Carrying a one-point-lead over second place Maccabi Haifa before kick-off, Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen made several changes from the side that was held to a 1-1 against Haifa at Sammy Ofer in midweek . Maor Kandil stepped back into the starting line-up as he replaced Andre Geraldes at right back. The rest of the defense remained unchanged with Louis Hernandez and Eytan Tibi as the two central defenders while Enric Saborit in his usual left-back position. Sheran Yeini and Dor Peretz kept their place at the heart of midfield with Avi Rikan completing the midfield trio.

Eduardo Gurrero who came off the bench to score the equalizer against Haifa, earned himself a place in the starting-11 on the opposite wing to Tal Ben Chaim, while Aleksandar Pesic who served a one-match touchline-ban against Hapoel Be’ersheva led the three-man strike-force.

First Half

The game started slightly more aggressive than usual on both sides but Petah Tikva’s Yinon Eliyahu ended up being the first player to go into Orel Greenfield book for an elbow on Enric Saborit. It took Maccabi 12 minutes to create the first chance as Aleksandar Pesic had a header saved by Arik Yanko following a pinpoint Maor Kandil cross. But the chance wouldn’t have counted anyway as the tall Serbian striker was caught offside.

Three minutes later Tal Ben Chaim charged forward for a counter attack and threatened to break into the area before tumbling down under what seemed like an Eliyahu foul. Referee Orel Grienfeel however, waved Ben Chaim’s claims for a foul which could have awarded Maccabi a penalty if not a second Eliyahu booking.

Saborit’ long range attempt of a cross on 26 threatened to creep under the crossbar before Yanko pushed it over for a corner. Right on the half hour mark, Eduardo Gurrero sent a telling cross which caught Petah Tikva’s defense flat yet didn’t reach either Pesic or Ben Chaim.

A minute later though, the deadlock was finally broken with the Panamanian winger playing a key role as he blasted a powerful left foot drive which Yanko failed to hold on to. Pesic reacted first pounce on the rebound and slot home the opening goal for his ninth league goal which took him level with Yonatan Cohen.

On the stroke of halftime Maccabi came close to double the score as Guererro sent Maor Kandil into the area before the right-back forced Yanko to make a last gasp save from his dangerous shot.

Second Half

Van Leeuwen made his first change at the interval as Eylon Almog replaced Ben Chaim for the restart. Within a minute Pesic came centimetres away from doubling his tally on the night after being sent clear through by Avi Rikan. The Serb skipped past the advancing keeper but with the goal at his mercy struck the side netting.

Shahar Piven came in for Sheran Yeini on 56 as Van Leeuwen added a fresh pair of legs into the midfield. Yanko then denied Guerrero’s volley in the 63rd minute as the industrious Panamanian was released by a Rikan header.

In the 66th minute Petah Tikva managed to level the score against the run of play as substitute Morgan Ferrier beat Maccabi’s offside trap only to be denied by an initial Tenenbaum save. Liel Abada slotted in the rebound which was initially waved by the linesman as offside, only to be corrected by the VAR to make it 1-1.

Van Leeuwen made an instant change as Etey Shechter came in for Pesic for the final 23 minutes. In the 80th minute Van Leeuwen made his fourth change when Matan Hozez came-in for the tired Rikan.

Three minutes later, Maccabi were back in-front in spectacular fashion with Guerrero scoring a wonder goal. Louis Hernandez sent a long ball out of defense which Guerrero brought down, flicked it to Almog whose cross was nodded into the path of Gurrero. The Panamanian controlled the ball with one touch before sending an unstoppable shot that gave Yanko no chance and sailed into the top corner.

While Petah Tikva sent everyone forward in a desperate bid to snatch a late equalizer, Guerrrero had the last laugh. Five minutes inside injury time, the industrious winger picked the ball up deep inside his own half, sprinted almost from one box to another before finding Yanko’s bottom corner to complete a dream night and seal the score at 3-1.

“Petah Tikva is always a tough opponent but ojur coaching staff will prepare in the ultimate way. We know exactly what we need to do, to play our football and hope to win this match” Glazer said.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder then related to the increased capacity which will come into effect in the forthcoming match: “This is powerful. It is fun, as we all missed that badly. We spoke about it between us in the dressing room, as this is something that gives us a massive boost. I really hope that we will be reflected on the pitch, that we will come fully charged with energies and that the fans will bring their energies and help us win this game”

137 league matches were held between both teams so far of which Maccabi won 65, Petah Tikva won 33 while 39 matches ended in a draw.

Maccabi suffered only 1 league defeat at the renovated Bloomfield stadium since moving back at the beginning of last season –to Maccabi Petah Tikva. The opening match of the season spoiled Maccabi’s home record at Bloomfield which currently stands on 25 victories, 10 draws and 1 defeat.

Maccabi faced Maccabi Petah Tikva twice in the top Playoffs – 2014/15 and 2016/17.

Our record against Petah Tikva in the Playoffs favours tomorrow’s opponents as Petah Tikva won twice, Maccabi won once and 1 match ended in a draw.

On the other hand, Petah Tikva is the team that missed the highest number of spot-kicks against Maccabi. Out of 19 spot kicks Petah Tikva were awarded against Maccabi, 8 were missed, with Maccabi’s keepers saving 6 while 2 others missed the target.

Maccabi’s highest victory over Petah Tikva (5-0) was recorded three times (1957/58, 1982/83 and 1987/88).

Fifty players appeared for both clubs with Tal Ben Chaim being the only member of the current squad to play for Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Avi Nimni is the all-time leading Maccabi goal-scorer against Maccabi Petah Tikva with 10 strikes.

Nimni, who also holds Maccabi’s record number of appearances against Petah Tikva (26), played his final career match against them in the 2007/08 season.

Guy Luzon coached 32 matches against Maccabi as his record shows: 16 victories for Maccabi, 9 victories for Luzon and 7 matches that ended in a draw.

 

After being held to a 1-1 draw in the first top of the table clash and retaining top spot, Ben Chaim who saw his side reduced to 10 men in the 76th following the dismissal of Nick Blackman, said at the end of the game. “There are two teams here that are equal in terms of quality as the race for the title will go to the wire. Based on how the match evolved and the fact we were reduced to 10 men for the last quarter of an hour we will not kid ourselves and admit that the result is good for us. But at the same time we are a team that only celebrates when we are winning. I am prepared not to score a single goal until the end of this season and next season as long as I am promised that we will win every game and win titles at the end of the season. At my age I contribute my experience which is a lot more important that personal goals”.