“We are preparing in the best possible way for this game” midfielder Dan Bitton said. “The coach and his staff analyse the opponents for us. We are ready for the game and will try get the best possible result”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have yet to register a victory in the league as the third match of the season against Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield stadium ended in a goalless draw. The match, originally scheduled as MD5 in the fixture list, was re-arranged by the League Management due to both teams compete in the Europa league – ended in a goalless draw at Bloomfield stadium. Having played three league matches, Georgios Donis’ side have two points from a possible nine and a tough fixture away to current leaders Maccabi Haifa next Monday, four days after playing Sivasspor in Turkey.  

Pre Match

Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis made several changes from the side which beat Qarabag FK on Thursday as he kept his three central defenders formation. Luis Hernandez, who made his Maccabi debut as a late second half substitute was given his debut league start alongside Sheran Yeini and Eitan Tibi.

Enric Saborit slotted into his regular position on the left side of the defense with Maor Kandil completing the back five as the right wing-back. Eden Kartzev, who scored the consolation goal at Salzburg, was handed his debut league start at the heart of midfield alongside Eyal Golasa.

Dan Biton, the last Maccabi player to recover from COVID19, returned to the starting line-up against his boyhood club as did Nick Blackman who together with Yonatan Cohen led the frontline.

First Half

Eyal Golasa threatened to draw first blood two minutes from the start but the 29-year-old midfielder, failed to keep his shot down. Seven minutes later, Maor Kandil rose above Be’erhseva’s defense to meet Yonatan Cohen’s corner but only managed to head wide. Less than sixty seconds later, Dan Biton unleashed a powerful left foot rocket which beat Ohad Levita from outside the area but narrowly missed the top corner.

In the 37th minute, Enric Saborit was booked for a foul on the edge of Maccabi’s penalty area as Be’ersheva were awarded a free kick. Josue stepped-up and blasted the shot with his left, but the ball flew wide of Daniel Tenenbaum’s right post. Six minutes later, Josue struck the crossbar before Tenenbaum was at full stretch to deny Elton Acolatse’s rebound which threatened to creep in at the far post.

Second Half

With a stalemate at halftime, Donis, made three changes as Dor Peretz, Eylon Almog and Etai Schechter replaced Eyal Golasa, Yonatan Cohen and Nick Blackman at the restart.

Maccabi kept on threatening as Nine minutes inside the second half, Almog teed-up Peretz whose left foot shot was once again off target. Donis made his fourth change as Tal Ben Chaim came in for Saborit in the 66th minute while seconds later, Biton, flashed a left foot shot from the edge of the area. But once again the ball was directed off target.

Avi Rikan replaced the industrious Eden Kartzev for the final 18 minutes as Donis made his final change. In the 74th minute, the best chance of the game fell to Schechter who was released into the area by a clever Biton flick. But the veteran striker who had only Levita to beat, struck his shot against the side netting.

Maccabi kept on trying to break forward and find an opening but time after time were frustrated by Be’ersheva’s defending. Despite five minutes of added time given by referee Erez Pappir, none of the half chances created could lead to anything as the  final whistle was more welcomed by the visiting side who salvaged a point.

Maccabi will now have to put aside their domestic disappointment and focus on Thursday’s opponents Sivasspor, as a victory in Turkey could lift up the mood before Monday’s league match in Haifa.