Shortly before the two-week international break, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned from Sachnin last night (Sunday) with three points. The champions beat Sachnin 2-1 and recorded the first league victory of the season, which included a few interesting statistics from a new club record to impressive statistics about our defenders.

A new club record

Statistics enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the victory at Sachnin set a new club record. This was Maccabi’s 12^th victory in succession over Sachnin in a season’s first league round of matches – more than any other opponent.

Maccabi are one victory short of equaling the league record which stands on 13 successive league victories over the same opponent in the first round held by Maccabi Haifa over Bnei Yehuda between 1988-2011.

The victory increased Maccabi’s tally to 30 wins from 43 league encounters against Sachnin. By that Maccabi improved their success rate against Sachnin to 76.7% – the highest rate against any opponent Maccabi met 40 times or more in the league.

Aleksandar Pesic enjoyed a successful night in particular. The 28-year-old Serbian striker who made three substitute appearances against Sivasspor and Villrreal in the Europa League  and Maccabi Haifa in the league, was handed his debut start. Pesic scored his debut goal for Maccabi as he lifted the ball over Sachnin’s keeper Rami Hamada for Maccabi’s second on the night.

In defense Maccabi showed impressive statistics and dominance as captain Sheran Yeini led the line by winning 12 of 15 duals.

Luis Hernandez led the team in the number of successful challenges (14) with Yeini (11) shortly behind him.

As for successful defensive tackles many players enjoyed a good game as Dan Glazer (4 from 4), Dor Peretz (3 from 3), Yeini (3 from 3), Saborit (3 from 4) and Kandil (1 from 1).

Kandil also led the team in the dribbling category with 4 successful dribbles from 5 attempts.

 

A first half penalty from Yonatan Cohen and a debut goal from Aleksandar Pesic saw Maccabi record their first league victory of the season with a 2-1 win away to Sachnin.
After five league matches, Georgios Donis’ side go into the international break with 6 points and time to recover from the hectic fixture list they encountered in Europe and domestic competition.

Pre Game

Georgios Donis made several changes to the side which was beaten 4-0 by Villarreal in the Europa League as Sheran Yeini returned to the heart of defense alongside Luis Hernandez. Enric Saborit returned to his position on the left side of defense with Maor Kandil completing the back-four as the right full back.

Dor Peretz and Eyal Golasa returned to the starting line-up and partnered Dan Glazer as the midfield trio exactly like they did during the 2-2 draw against Maccabi Haifa last week while Dan Biton and Yonatan Cohen were named as the right and left wingers behind Aleksandar Pesic on his debut start.

First Half

Ten minutes from the start referee Gal Leibovic awarded Sachnin a penalty after Luis Hernandez was judged to have handled the ball in the area. But after a lengthy check in the VAR, Leibovic canceled his initial decision.

On 22 Yonatan Cohen released Aleksandar Pesic into the area, but the shot of the Serbian striker was easily collected by Rami Hamada.

Eight minutes later however, Maccabi were awarded a penalty as Enric Saborit sent Pesic clear through before the Serb was brought down by the advancing Hamada. Cohen stepped up, kept his calm and successfully slotted the penalty home to break the deadlock.

Osama Haliala came close on 34 as his snapshot from the edge of the area beat Daniel Tenenbaum but hit the side netting.

A minute later, Maor Kandil should have doubled the lead as he ghosted unmarked to head Dan Biton’s corner. But the tenacious right back somehow managed to direct his header over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Second Half

A minute after the restart Biton’s through ball released Cohen in acres of space and with only the keeper to beat. But Cohen’s powerful left foot drive was initially parried by the keeper before Sachnin’s defense cleared the danger.

On 51 Cohen turned provider as he teed-up Kandil on the edge of the area only to see the right-back miscue his shot and miss the target once again.

Seven minutes after the hour mark Pesic finally scored his debut goal as he latched onto a lose ball, lifted it over the advancing keeper and blasted it into the open goal to double Maccabi’s lead.

Donis made his first two changes in the 77th minute as Eylon Almog and Tal Ben Chaim replaced Biton and Cohen for the final 13 minutes.

Pesic bowed out to what would have been a standing ovation on 84 as Etay Shechter replaced the Serb while Avi Rikan and Eden Kartzev came in for Dan Glazer and Eyal Golasa as a part of a triple substitution.

Inside injury time Sachnin were awarded a penalty after Moti Barshatzky was fouled inside the area and Osama Haliala blasted the penalty to make it 2-1 in what was the final kick of the game.

 

Pre-Game
Ahead of the match against Villarreal, Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis made several changes to his side which is facing the team currently ranked 3rd in La Liga.

Donis named Eytan Tibi, Luis Hernandez and Enric Saborit as the three central defenders with Matan Baltaxa and Ben Biton as the two wing backs on the left and right respectively.

Eden Kartzev, who scored Maccabi’s consolation goal at Salzburg, joined Dan Glazer as the two anchormen at the heart of midfield. Nick Blackman, scorer of the winning goal the last time Maccabi played at Villarreal’s De La Ceramica stadium in the 2017/18 stadium led the attack with Tal Ben Chaim and Yonatan Cohen supplying the support on the wings.

A thunder and lightning storm with torrential rain which has been pouring in the hours before the game, flooded the playing surface forcing several electric power failures and ensuring the match will be nothing less than an interesting encounter for both teams.

First Half

The game was delayed while the drainage and ground staff worked tirelessly to clear the playing surface before the match eventually kicked off 70 minutes later than the original kickoff time. Four minutes from the start however the hosts took the lead from the first chance they had as Carlos Bacca rose high at the near post to meet Daniel Parejo’s corner and head the ball beyond the reach of Daniel Tenenbaum.

Maccabi took time to recover from their start as they reached the first chance right on the half hour mark. Yonatan Cohen found Matan Baltaxa down the left flank before he teed up Dan Glazer whose shot from the edge of the area missed the target.

Second Half

Three minutes after the restart Villarreal came close to double the score as Ruben Pena was released into the area. But Luis Hernandez with a last grasp tackle managed to clear the danger and prevent the ball from being tapped in.

Aleksandar Pesic replaced Nick Blackman who limped off in the 50th minute and less than a minute later Villarreal doubled their lead. Kubo floated a cross into the box which eluded Maccabi’s defense allowing Bacca to send a diving header that bounced over the advancing Tenebaum to make it 2-0.

Bacca shot wide in the 60th minute before Eyal Golasa and Dan Biton replaced Eden Kartzev and Tal Ben Chaim as Donis added two fresh players into the frame.

Donis made his two final substitutions on 67 as Etey Shechter and Dor Peretz replaced Cohen and Glazer. But once again the goal came at the opposite end as Kubo did the damage down the right flank, released Baena who exchanged passes with Bacca before curling in Villarreal’s third goal.

Maccabi’s best chance of the game came in the 77th minute as Dan Biton curled a free kick which Saborit headed on target. But goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli stretched himself to push the ball over the crossbar. Villarreal struck again at the opposite end as three of their substitutes combined well to score the hosts’ fourth in the 80th minute. Gerard Moreno carved Maccabi’s defense as he released Pervis Estupinan whose square ball across the face of goal was walked in by Fernando Nino.