The 30-year-old Maccabi captain who scored a goal which wasn’t enough to prevent the side losing their first derby in 12 years as arch city rivals Hapoel recorded a dramatic 2-1 victory, said at the end of the match: “I have no explanation for what happened here, in the minute when everything unfolded.”

Peretz shared the mood within the camp as he added: “I don’t know how to recover right now. Right now we’re hurting, we’re angry, and we’ll let everything out. There’s nothing to do, we are a family, for better or worse, and there was a painful moment here for all of us.”

Twelve days after the penalty shoot-out victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv in the State Cup, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for a meeting with their arch city rivals in the league. On the back of the 4-1 defeat away to Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways and extend their 12 year unbeaten run in derbies.

Maccabi’s Head Coach whose squad is still plagued with injuries, welcomed back from suspension Roy Revivo. The left back who served his one match touchline ban at Haifa following his dismissal in the Cup, joined Raz Shlomo, Ali Camara and Heitor dos Santos who was named at right back. Issouf Sissokho, was joined by Itamar Noy in the engine room with Dor Peretz leading the team out with the captain’s armband. Helio Varela who scored Maccabi’s goal against Hapoel in the Cup and Sagiv Jehezkel whose goal at Sammy Ofer last week was only a consolation, were both named by Lazetic on the wings. Saied Abu Farchi led the line aiming to add to his tally of 2 league goals and five in all competitions this season.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named Kervin Andrade, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman, Ido Shahar, Itay Ben Hemo and Osher Davida.

First Half:

A pyrotechnics display from both sets of fans immediately after kickoff covered Bloomfield stadium with a thick layer of smoke which caused an 8 minute delay. With the smoke eventually cleared off referee David Fuxman resumed play a fact which was welcomed by a stadium which was packed to the brim.

Andrian Kraev was the first player to be booked by referee David Fuxman for a reckless challenge on Saied Abu Farchi in the 14th minute. Four minutes later Ali Camara went down clutching his calf as the tall Guinean defender was replaced by Itay Ben Hemo.

Just before the half hour mark Sagiv Jehezkel flicked Itamar Noy’s corner towards goal but Assaf Tzur managed to claw the ball which was making its way under the crossbar.

Two minutes later the deadlock was broken as Roy Revivo won possession down the left and burst forward before releasing Helio Varela. The Cape Verde international charged down the wing and cut back for Dor Peretz who swept the balk past Tzur for his 11th goal in all competitions this season.

The stop start first half saw the fourth official raise the sign with 13 minutes of additional time.

A well drilled free kick saw Jehezkel cross for Abu Farchi who flashed his header over the crossbar. Two minutes later both players swapped roles this time Abu Farchi playing in Jehezkel who wasted the chance blasting his shot over.

Second Half:

The second half saw Hapoel enjoy a lot of the possession but in the 68th minute Maccabi almost doubled their lead. Heitor dos Santos released Jehezkel who was just inside Maccabi’s half for a counter attack down the right. Jehezkel floated a cross towards Abu Farchi who glided in the air but directed his header wide of the post. Lazetic reacted with a double substitution as Jehezkel and Itamar Noy bowed out and were replaced by Ido Shahar and Kervin Andrade.

Shahar could have made an immediate impact as four minutes after his Introduction the 24-year-old picked up a Revivo cross and drilled a powerful shot which was blocked for a corner.

Lazetic made his final two changes on 88 as Abu Farchi and Varela bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Noam Ben Harush and Yonas Malede.

Maccabi defended their lead until the 91st minute before Omri Altman rose high to head in the equaliser into the top corner. Hapoel pressed forward and a free kick which was sent into the box saw Chico Alves bundle the ball from a goalmouth scramble. The linesman raised his flag for offside but VAR intervened and approved the goal to complete the comeback.

On December 19th 1931, 94 years and one month ago, the first-ever meeting between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv took place, as part of the Eretz Israel League. The match was staged at the packed Maccabiah Stadium, with 5,000 spectators in attendance, and resulted with a 1-1 draw as with Shmuel Becker was on target for Maccabi while Avraham Nudelman scored for Hapoel.

Since then, a total of 234 Tel Aviv derbies were played in all competitions. The total record currently stands on 97 Maccabi victories 68 victories for Hapoel and 68 matches that ended in a draw with a total goal tally of 325-241.

In 168 league derbies, the record stands at 63 Maccabi victories, 46 Hapoel victories and 59 matches that ended with a draw. The total goal tally in league matches currently stands at 217–156. After the number of victories were tied at 45 wins each at the end of the 2012/13 season, since then Maccabi increased the gap to 17 matches.

Maccabi is currently on a 23-match unbeaten run in the league which is a club record against any opponent in league history. During this run of matches Maccabi won 16 derbies while seven were drawn with a staggering goal difference of 53–8. This 23-match streak is the fourth-longest unbeaten run, in league history. The record which currently stands at 29 matches is held by Maccabi Haifa against Hapoel Petah Tikva between 1992–2003.

Maccabi has a 29-match unbeaten run, in derbies of which 21 resulted with a victory and eight were drawn as the goal tally stands on 66-12.
Hapoel’s last victory in a Tel Aviv derby was recorded on April 26th 2014, exactly 11 years and 9 months ago (4,293 days).
The biggest derby victory: four 5–0 victories Maccabi recorded in 1970, 2017, 2022 and 2024.

A total of 2,560,000 fans attended the 162 Tel Aviv derbies in the league which were played with fans in the stadium, averaging 15,800 fans per match. The highest gate average among all league matchups in the history of Israeli football.
Maccabi faced Hapoel 8 times on Matchday 20 with the record currently standing on 4 victories 2 draws and 2 defeats.

A total of 391 players featured for Maccabi in Tel Aviv derbies. Miko Belo, made the most appearances for Maccabi in this fixture featuring in 33 derbies. Sheran Yeini, is second with 32 while Benny Tabak and Avi Nimni are both tied in third place with 29 appearances each.

A total of 94 Maccabi players scored in the Tel Aviv derby. Maccabi’s all-time top scorers in derbies are Eran Zahavi and Shiye Glazer, scoring 11 goals each. Avi Nimni holds the record for delivering the most assists against Hapoel, with 6 assists to his name. Eran Zahavi and Giyora Spiegel share the second place, with 5 assists each.

A total of 57 players featured for both clubs in derbies. Of the current squad, Osher Davida, Sagiv Yehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Yoav Gerafi, and Dani Gropper have previously played for Hapoel.

Roi Mishpati managed to keep his goal locked for 82 minutes before Igor Matanovic’s header into the top corner sealed Freiburg’s 1-0 victory.

At the end of the match at the Eurppa Park that resulted with a sixth defeat of the campaign, Mishpati said: “We felt it was close. We created a few good chances, but in the last ten minutes they really pinned us back. That’s how our campaign has looked, we suffer and work hard, and in the end concede a goal. But to be honest, they scored a great goal. We move forward from here.”

Mishapti who pulled a stunning reflex save midway through the first half as Maccabi were hanging on, reflected: “They delivered a corner to the near post and I reacted at the very last second, I did what I saw, and I’m happy with that save. Instinct.”

“Playing at this level is fun. Throughout the campaign we have been playing against top-level teams, and in the end it’s the small details that tip the balance. But it’s really enjoyable to play matches like these,” he added.

On his performance and the competition with Ofek Melika for the goalkeeper position, Mishpati said: “The coach knows what I’m worth and who I am. Ofek has been doing a great job so far, and anything I can give him, I give him. It’s good to have competition, and of course we push each other to deliver even better performances.”