Following the victory over Riga in the first qualifying round, Maccabi Tel Aviv took off this morning (Tuesday) to Lithuania ahead of the one off match against Suduva. With a place in the 3rd round at stake, Maccabi are expected to land in Kaunas in the afternoon before holding their final training session at the Marjopole stadium.

 

Omer Atzili left Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and completed his transfer to Cypriot outfit Apoel Nicosia.

Atzili, joined Maccabi in the summer of 2017 and in his three seasons at Maccabi won 2 League Championships (18/19, 19/20), 2 Toto Cups (17/18, 18/19) and the Super Cup (19/20).

The 27-year-old who played with Maccabi in the Europa League group stages, scored 34 goals and added 19 assists in 95 appearances in all competitions whilst wearing the Yellow and Blue strip.

The  club wishes Omer success.

 

Blackman, who also scored a brace in the Super Cup victory , over Be’ersheva said: “I had a difficult season last year, and just like the other guys, we made a fantastic achievement as a group and we won the league with some amazing records. But from a personal point of view I feel that I have a lot more to offer and a lot more to give. It is just about the hard work that everyone has put in during the pre-season and that seems to be paying off for everyone in this moment in time”.

On tonight’s performance in comparison to last year: “Last season I didn’t play too much as we were doing fantastic as a team so there are no arguments there when you are winning every week as you have to be patient and bide your time. I think we have some experienced players in the team, and in those moments when the level does drop or there are some uncertain moments then I think it is really important that the experienced players on the pitch use their knowledge of the game and the game management to come out of these situations without conceding any goals”.

On the difference between last season’s squad and this season’s side:

“Everyone here feels good and everyone is working really hard as there is a real good mixture between experienced players and young players. The youngsters came up with so much energy and so much enthusiasm but also with a lot of ability. I think it bodes well for the future as we are taking it day-by-day, we had Patrick van Leeuwen in charge for the first month or so of pre-season and now we have the new coach in charge so we are learning everyday how he wants to play and the guys are working really hard on the training ground”.

On another season at Maccabi: “With the coach changing it is like a clean slate for everyone, I know it is such a fast turn-around from last season to this season but when a new coach comes in they come with a new philosophy and new ideas on how to play, sometimes it suits some players better than other players so everyone was given a chance in pre-season first with Patrick first and then with the new coach so I think it is all about doing your best for the team when you get the opportunity to play”.

Ahead of next week’s opponent Sudova: “We had a very disappointing experience with them last season in both games and how it turned out. But we have a game in between, on Saturday so this is what we are really focused on and then we will work towards that next week”.

In his first match in charge, Maccabi’s newly appointed coach Georgios Donis made several changes to the side which won the Super Cup last week. Veteran captain Sheran Yeini returned the heart of defense as he lined up alongside Eitan Tibi with Enric Saborit and Maor Kandil as the two full backs. Dan Glazer, Dor Peretz and Avi Rikan were the three man midfielders while Eduardo Gurrero and Eylon Almog made their senior European debuts upfront alongside Nick Blackman.

With Sudova beating Flora Tallinn in a penalty shoot-out Maccabi will travel to Lithuania and face the side which knocked them out of the Europa League qualifier last season.

Maccabi’s frontline trio tried testing Riga’s keeper from long range in the opening stages but on all three occasions the shots missed the target. In the 25th minute Dor Peretz came close as he blasted a fierce drive which Riga’s keeper Robert Ozols managed to punch before the danger was cleared. Right on the half hour mark Guerrero was given the time and space on the right as he floated a pinpoint cross which found Blackman unmarked. But the header the Englishman directed bounced off the base of the post. Two minutes later Macabi struck the woodwork once again, this time Avi Rikan curled a shot from the edge of the area which beat the keeper but hit the crossbar.

Peretz had another shot blocked and Almog forced Ozols to stretch himself and turn his shot out for a corner which Eitan Tibi headed over.

Maccabi were awarded a penalty on 58 as Blackman fed Rikan who was tripped by a defender inside the area. Blackman stepped up and blasted the spot kick into the net and give Maccabi a well deserved lead.

In the 71st minute Riga’s crossbar was rattled once again this time for a Peretz right foot shot after Almog had his initial effort blocked. Blackman was tripped on the edge of the area by Herdi Prenga on 74 giving Biton a chance to open his account only to see the wall deny the midfielder.

Donis introduced Ben Chaim to mark his return to Maccabi as the winger came on for Almog in the 81th minute while Itay Schechter replaced Peretz for the final 7 minutes.

A counter attack which began with Dan Glazer who fed Ben Chaim in the 85th minute resulted with Schechter being denied by Riga’s keeper. Within a minute Maccabi were awarded a second penalty as Schechter was impeded and Blackman fired in his second spot kick.