“We closed them pretty well, from the few chances they created Josue Pesqueira scored a very elegant goal. I think a victory would have probably reflected in a more accurate way”, the captain said. 

“The situation is complex for everyone involved. One has to lower the flames untill everything becomes clearer. We obviously must set a good example to the youth who idolize us. Just like you, we are all waiting to see what will emerge”.

The point Vladimir Ivic’s side collected restored the 12 points lead at the top of the table from second place Maccabi Haifa, with six matches still left to play.

Ivic made several changes to the side which were held to a draw in Jerusalem last week, as he named a 3-5-2 formation with Schahar Piven and Ofir Davidzada stepping into the side. In the 25^th minute, Peretz, who was handed the captain’s armband on the night, needed two attempts to put away Eyal Golasa cross before firing home a low left-foot-drive past Ohad Levita.

Shortly after the restart, Peretz, came close to double the score as he broke into the penalty area but blasted his shot over the crossbar. Right on the hour mark, a well drilled corner left Piven unmarked In the area but his shot was blocked before the danger was cleared. Ten minutes later, Josue created space as he span past Enric Saborit and released an accurate left foot drive which found the bottom corner of Daniel Tenenbaum – something no player has done in over 609 minutes.

Of the 37 encounters between the two sides at Bloomfield stadium – Maccabi won 17 matches, drawn 14 and lost 5 with a goal-scoring record of 55-26. 

All the 14 playoff matches between Maccabi and Be’ersheva were in the top Playoff. The records from those matches are in Maccabi’s favour having won 6, drawn 5 and lost 3 with goal record of 19-11. 

It will be the first time Maccabi meets Be’ersheva behind closed doors. In stark contrast, two attendance records were set when Maccabi beat Be’ersheva 2-0 at Bloomfield earlier this season. An attendance record of 27,566 fans for a league match between Maccabi and Be’ersheva, as well as a stadium record in 2371 league matches ever hosted at Bloomfield. 

In 8 league encounters against Be’ersheva attended by more than 16,000 fans, Maccabi won 7 and were held to a solitary draw.

Excluding this season, both clubs shared the league title between them over the past seven years. A first for two clubs in seven years or more since the State of Israel was established.

The 4-0 win at Be’ersheva on the final day of last season was one of the three highest away wins Maccabi ever recorded in the Playoffs. The 5-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa in the 1991/92 season and the 5-0 win over Maccabi Peta Tikva in the 1987/88 season only better that result. 

On that last Playoff encounter against Be’ersheva, they suffered their heaviest defeat in 115 home matches Turner stadium hosted in all competitions.

Maccabi won the league against Be’ersheva on the final day of the 1994/95 season, when Alon Brumer’s goal at the old Vassermil stadium secured a 1-0 win and a title victory.  

Maccabi’s all-time top goal scorer against Be’ersheva is Benny Tabbak with 9 goals to his name.

“There is no doubt it was not a standard week for us at Maccabi or for this matter any football club. But once again, as footballers and athletes we should be able to put aside personal issues which happen right now, focus on the professional side. We have our goals and would like to reach our targets as soon as possible. This is the profession we chose and we must know how to do that separation”.

“The game against Beitar last week was not one of our best but we knew how not to concede and collected a point even if it wasn’t the best of our games. Maccabi Haifa is an excellent side but we don’t look at other sides and we think that if we win our matches and get the results we want to get – then we will meet our targets”.

“.No match in the top playoff is easy. In normal regular times every match is high profile, a sell out with 30,000 fans. and all the teams are excellent teams. Be’ersheva is an opponents which has been chasing us in recent years and was never an easy side to  beat. Matches against Be’ersheva were always tough and we are waiting for such big games to prove that we are the best team in Israel. All the fans are also waiting for these games especially during this current problematic situation – and we would like to put a smile on their faces”.

A week after the 0-0 draw at Teddy stadium against Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv will try to return to their winning ways and increase the gap at the top of the table. The reigning champions will host Hapoel Be’ersheva on Monday (20:45) as part of the 30th league round. Today, Vladimir Ivic spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of the encounter.

5th place: 

2014/15 Maccabi Tel Aviv  – Hapoel Be’ersheva 3:1

 

4th place:

2013/14 Hapoel Be’ersheva – Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:2

3rd place:

2018/19 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Be’ersheva 3:0

2nd place: 

1994/95 Hapoel Be’ersheva – Maccabi Tel Aviv 0:1

1st place:

2014/15 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Be’ersheva 6:2

The allegations in this matter are serious and have consequences for all concerned. Amidst the output of recent stories over the past week, we have focused on fact-gathering and following protocols of the appropriate authorities investigating the matter.

Difficult as it is, we believe it important at this time to patiently allow an unmediated process to be completed properly.

The Club will monitor closely all aspects of the process and act accordingly based on facts as they become available. 

The Club’s position is however unambiguous in that we strongly condemn any behaviour which involves Illegalities, Racism, Discrimination, of any kind, or any behaviour unbecoming of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.

The Club has always and will continue to adhere to all matters in law as well as our values and standards of conduct which we deem to be in the best interest of The Club. We will follow our internal procedures when appropriate, and in this regard the club has held a meeting with the players where it has been mutually determined that it is in the best interest of the players and the Club that the 2 players take a temporary leave; enabling them to address various related matters and the Club to best focus on, among other things, football. 

The Club strongly condemns attempts to vilify any parties during this process.

The Israeli Proffessional League published today (Wednesday) the fixtures of MD31 – MD34, as the two Tel Aviv derbies were scheduled for Saturday (June 20th and June 26th).

The away match against Hapoel Haifa on MD32 will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd while the home match against Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield stadium will take place on Wednesday July 1st.