Category: News

When Maccabi starred in Europe

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On Thursday Maccabi will line-up against Shakhtar Donetsk for the first leg of the Europa League Round of 32.

On paper Maccabi expect a tough and interesting challenge and in order to get some inspiration we returned to some of the club’s historic big games in European competitions.

Champions League history: Maccabi beats Ajax

The amazing 4-3 victory over Paris Saint-Germain

 

 

The drama in Basel

Glazer: “This is every player’s dream”

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On playing at such a level: “This is a dream for every Israeli player, especially for someone like me who grew up at the club. I always wanted to succeed here but also in Europe and we are doing amazing things this season. With regards to Shakhtar, they played one competitive match since their winter break and will play the second match against us. I think this could be an advantage for us, especially as we are enjoying good form lately”.

Could the experience some of the Maccabi players gained, help in anyway? “It is true, we have some very experienced players in our squad both in Maccabi as well as the national teams. We feel confident in ourselves, we feel ready enough and will do everything we possibly can to get a result which would give us a lift ahead of the return leg”.

Not just Solomon: What to expect from Shakhtar

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The Ukrainian side is familiar to the Israeli public in recent years following the success of Manor Solomon, but even before the arrival of the diminutive Israeli, this is a club that is very successful in European competitions. Shakhtar’s record achievement is winning the UEFA Cup in 2009, as other memorable achievements noted were reaching the Champions Quarter Finals in 2010/11 and the Europa League Semi Finals in 2015/16.

Winning the domestic league championship in the last four seasons, Sahkhtar, who are currently second in their table behind Dynamo Kiev, became the dominant force in Ukraine. This season, the side coached by Luis Castro, enjoyed a successful Champions League campaign and finished third in a tough group that included Real Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach and Inter Milan.

FC Shakhtar – Facebook ()

How to deal with a two-month-long winter break?

Historically, the achilles’ heel of teams from North East Europe has been a tough winter which leads to two month long break during the cold months of the year. As a result, and as Shakhtar has been accustomed to, Shakhtar will face Maccabi having played a single competitive match since December. On Sunday, Shakhtar were held to a 0-0 draw in the Ukrainian league by 7th place Kolos which leaves them with 30 points from 14 matches trailing leaders Dynamo Kiev by 3 points.

Despite the domestic break, Shakhtar kept fit and held a training camp in Turkey and played no less than 7 friendly matches against various European opponents that helped them maintain match fitness.

FC Shakhtar – Facebook ()

The preferred system and the quality squad

Historically, Shakhtar have been attracting Brazilian talents before selling them to various European clubs as former players include: Manchester City’s Fernandinho, Willian of Arsenal, Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa. At the moment, Shakhtar has no fewer than 11 Brazilian players in their squad some of whom are competing with Manor Solomon for playing time.

Portuguese coach Luis Castro continues with Shakhtar’s trademark 4-3-3 formation which features either one or two holding midfielders and an additional midfielder behind the striker.

The Shakhtar squad is packed with quality (Valued on transfermarket at EUR 158M) and traditionally as Castro has plenty of options upfront with a variety of numerous choices. The talented wingers are joined by the attacking full-backs as some leading players are the veterans Marlos, Alan Patrick, Taison and Tete Maccabi will have to watch out for.

One star player who will not face Maccabi is attacking midfielder Victor Kovalenko who joined Italian side Atalanta B.C.

Regardless of Shakhtar’s starting line-up this is a very strong and proven side which would be an extremely difficult challenge for Maccabi.

FC Shakhtar – Facebook ()

Watch: Maccabi eSports face Team Finest

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Maccabi eSports activity continues this evening (Live on Maccabi’s official Youtube channel) as our gaming team expects another entertaining evening.

This time round, our official FIFA Player, Dor Eligula, will face Israeli side Team Finest for an exhibition match which will be played in a best-of-three format (Sony). Finest are in fact the Israeli eSports organization competing at 4 different games with the most popular being FIFA.

Matan Hozez in a lecture to the Youth Academy

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While the Professionals Football Leagues resumed training, the Youth Departments across the country are still not allowed to return to action. In the meantime, the club’s Youth Academy continues to hold activities for the players and staff members off the pitch.

After a range of special lectures recently, Maccabi’s first team player, Matan Hozez, who graduated from the Youth Academy shared his experiences. Hozez told the players of his journey in the Youth Academy, through to the youth team as well as his loan periods and return to the first team. Hozez shared his experiences, disappointments, success and the way in which he dealt with the hardships.

Tenenbaum’s message at the lone soldiers activity

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Maccabi Tel Aviv foundation and Pizza Prego together with ‘Big Brother’ organization, complimented last night (Saturday) lone soldiers at two centers for lone soldiers – to mark Family day.

Every Saturday night lone soldiers enjoy a different social activity set up by volunteers from the ‘Big Brother’ organization, as last night, following the end of lockdown and the return to normality, they were joined by Maccabi representatives for a Pizza and Karaoke night which was provided by our sponsor ‘Pizza Prego’ and included pizza’s and scarves.

In addition, Maccabi’s goalkeeper, Daniel Tenenbaum, a former lone soldier himself during his IDF Military service, sent the soldiers a recorded video message where he greeted them on Family day from the Maccabi Tel Aviv family that you can view right here below.

Free flowing: Maccabi’s encouraging numbers

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A sixth victory in succession

Maccabi’s amazing spell continued yesterday with a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Kfar Sava, which was the champions’ sixth league victory in succession. For the first time since December 2019 Maccabi reaches this landmark.

Maccabi’s longest successful run since 2000 stands on 8 victories in succession (March 2013) and three more runs of 7 wins.

The most one-sided match

Yesterday’s match was the most one-sided match as Kfar Sava ended the match without a single shot on target.

This is the second time this season, together with the match against Kiryat Shmona, where a team fails to find the target during an entire match.

As for the shots on goal, Maccabi held a clear advantage of 22-1 – the highest ratio this season.

Those who led the ‘threats on goal’ chart on the night were the two midfielders: Dor Peretz (7) and Avi Rikan (6).

Dan Biton enjoyed another good game with 5 of 6 accurate key passes.

The statistic which indicates on Maccabi’s free-flowing attacking game is the number of accurate key passes (10) – the largest number of any team this season.

The impressive record at Hamoshava

The victory at Hamoshava stadium stretched Maccabi’s successful run against Kfar Sava to four clean-sheet victories since their return to the top flight last season.

This was also Maccabi’s Sixth victory in succession with a clean sheet at Hamoshava stadium (Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Ra’anana, Hapoel Kfar Sava, Sektzia Nes Ziona and Bnei Yehuda) – a record for an away team in the league.

Strong at the top

Aleksandar Pesic’s winner was not only his 8th goal this season but also the eighth goal Maccabi scored from headers this season. Pesic (3), Yonatan Cohen (2), Dor Peretz (1), Louis Hernandez (1) and Etey Shechter (1).

Since scoring 9 headers by MD21 in the 2009/10 season, Maccabi hasn’t scored so many headers until this stage of a season.

Pesic extended the successful run of winning every time he scored a goal – seven matches so far.

Throughout Maccabi’s history, there are 18 players whose goals led to victories in the first seven matches during which they scored.

Tal Ben Chaim who set up last night’s winning goal, assisted for the 19th time in the league to climb to number 24 in the all-time assist charts.

MACCABI BEATS KFAR SAVA 1-0

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Pre Match

With five victories in succession, Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen, made two changes from the side that beat Hapoel Hadera for the match against Hapoel Kfar Sava.

The defense remained unchanged with Eitan Tibi and Luis Hernandez lining up as the two central defenders in front of Daniel Tenenbaum while Enric Saborit and Andre Gerlades completed the back-four as the two full backs.

With Dan Glazer serving a one-match-touchline-ban, Sheran Yeini stepped into the midfield at the anchor-man role. Shortly before kick-off, Yonatan Cohen suffered an injury in the warm up, limped off and was replaced in the starting line-up by Tal Ben Chaim.

First Half

Maccabi took the initiative right from the start and threatened to draw first blood in the opening minute as Dan Biton found Tal Ben Chaim at the far post but the winger struggled to direct his shot on target. Aleksandar Pesic was sent clear through minutes later only to see his effort blocked for a corner.

Maccabi continued dominating and in the 10th minute Enric Saborit sent a cross into the area, but Avi Rikan’s half-volley missed the target. Two minute later, Biton whipped in a free kick from the left and Pesic rose unmarked to direct his header on goal, but Kfar Sava’s keeper Itamar Yisraeli collected with ease.

Rikan came close once again on 17 as the ball fell to his feet right on the edge of the area, but the veteran midfielder directed his shot to the wrong side of the post.

Maccabi reached their best chance in the 21st minute as Ben Chaim was given the time and space to send a cross from the left, Rikan had his initial header blocked by Sodiq Atanda before Yisraeli then Omer Danino managed to save Biton’s second attempt to fire in the rebound.

Four minutes after the half hour mark, Biton cut the ball back for Rikan whose shot was deflected for a corner from which Peretz sent a header over the crossbar. In the 41st minute Maccabi were finally awarded for their efforts as Ben Chaim received the ball down the left, sent a pinpoint cross into the area allowing Pesic to rise high and head-in the opener.

Second Half

Kfar Sava’s coach Elisha Levy made a double change at the restart as Itay Shor and Amadou Soukouna replaced Tom Shelah and Ben Reichart. Two minutes later Ben Chaim had a powerful low drive saved by Yisraeli for a corner which was headed by Peretz and caught by the keeper. Rikan had another shot saved by Yisraeli in the 50th minute as Maccabi came closer to increase their lead.

Perez blasted a right foot pile-driver a minute later which gave Yisraeli no chance but was centimetres away from finding the top corner. Pesic had the ball in the back of the net in the 58th minute after a Maccabi free kick which Peretz fired from distance fell to his feet after hitting a defender. But the Serbian striker’s celebrations were short-lived as referee David Fuxman ruled out the goal for offside.

Van Leeuwen made his first changes on 65, as Etey Shechter and Matan Hozez replaced both Pesic and Ben Chaim.

Four minutes later, Biton floated a left foot cross into the path of Rikan, but the midfielder didn’t manage to connect his attempt of a diving header. In the 70th minute Maccabi’s defense was tested for the first time but managed to clear the danger. At the opposite end, Hozez cut the ball back from the touchline for Shechter who failed to connect before Biton lost his footing and sent the ball high over the crossbar.

Van Leeuwen made two more changes as Shahar Piven and Eduardo Guerrero replaced Sheran Yeini and Rikan for the final 12 minutes.

In the 90th minute Eytan Tibi rose high to meet Biton’s free kick, but the veteran defender headed over the crossbar. Inside injury time Hozez sent a square ball across the face of goal only to see Guerrero somehow manage to miss the target when it seemed easier to score. Matan Baltaxa replaced the tired Biton inside injury time in a bid to shore up the defense.

Fuxman’s final whistle secured a sixth victory in succession to ensured the three points and 28 from a possible 30 since Van Leeuwen’s appointment.