Maccabi continues its journey in the Europa League phase as today (Wednesday) the team departed for Germany ahead of their sixth match away to Stuttgart at the MHP Arena.

Earlier this morning, the team held its final practice at the Kiryat Shalom training complex in wintry weather conditions, before setting off for Ben-Gurion Airport and flying to Stuttgart. This evening, the team will hold the pre-match press conference at Stuttgart.

Maccabi arrives for the match after collecting a point at the end of a 0-0 draw away to PAOK Thessaloniki on MD1 followed by four defeats to Dinamo Zagreb, Midtjylland, Aston Villa, and Lyon. Stuttgart, on the other hand, began their campaign with three victories against Celta Vigo, Feyenoord, and Go Ahead Eagles as well as two defeats to FC Basel and Fenerbahce.

Ion Nicolaescu underwent an MRI scan at the Shamir Medical center last night following the knee injury he sustained during the match against Hapoel Be’ersheva. After an evaluation by the club’s medical staff, it has been confirmed that Ion has suffered a tear to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

He will undergo surgery in the near future and will then begin his rehabilitation process within the club. Everyone at the club wishes Ion a smooth procedure and a speedy, successful return to full fitness.

Ben Harush added: “We are very disappointed with the result” he said, “We looked better and deserved to leave here with points”.

Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old who joined the club in the summer, remained adamant: “We always keep our heads forward. We looked good on the pitch, and we have a long schedule with many matches ahead of us.”

The U21 Israeli international who took a while to break into the team said: “When you come to the biggest club in the country, there’s competition for every place in the squad. I worked hard and knew my opportunity would come. Wherever I play, I’ll give everything I have. I love this club and I want to be here.”

On the current spell which saw Maccabi concede its’ second league defeat in four matches, Ben Harush added: “We are one family. What people hear from the outside is

Preview

Four days after the 2-1 victory over Hapoel Haifa at Bloomfield, Maccabi arrived at Tuner stadium for the MD13 WINNER League match which will conclude the first league round. With his side two points adrift of Hapoel Be’ersheva in the table, Zarko Lazetic arrived at this top of the table clash as he is missing several players through suspension and injuries. Ido Shahar, who was sent off against Hapoel Haifa and fellow midfielders Issouf Sissokho and Kristijan Belic were all out for this match. In addition to players, Maccabi’s fans were also absent from Turner as they were serving a one-match ban following an IFA Disciplinary punishment.

Ofek Melika who started against Ashdod and Hapoel Haifa kept his place in goal. Ali Camara and Heitor dos Santos lined up as the two central defenders in front of Melika with Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completing Maccabi’s defensive line. Noam Ben Harush who completed 90 minutes against Ashdod and Haifa, was pushed into the midfield to join Itamar Noy in the engine room. Dor Peretz led the team out wit the captain’s armband as the 30-year-old who scored 7 league goals and is leading Maccabi’s scoring charts will aim to add to his tally. After scoring a dramatic late equalizer at Ashdod and the opener against Haifa, Saied Abu Farchi, will try continue his purple patch by finding the net at Turner as well. Osher Davida, who hasn’t scored since the 4-0 victory away to Hapoel Petah Tikva in mid September was named on the opposite flank. Ion Nicolaescu, led Maccabi’s attack as the 27-year-old Moldovan striker will also try end a barren run which has also been stretched since the 4-1 MD3 victory over Iroi Tiberias on September 13th.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Elad Madmon, Ben Lederman, Helio Varela, Itay Ben Hemo and Ilay Ben Simon.

First Half

A backdrop of 16,000 Be’ersheva fans who filled every corner of Turner Stadium didn’t phase Maccabi as they began the match on the front foot. In the opening minute Noam Ben Harush picked Osher Davida on the right flank before the winger cut inside and began a mazy run leaving three opponents behind him. Davida’s shot was ultimately blocked by a Be’ersheva defender for a corner which was then cleared. Two minutes later at the opposite end Ofek Melika’s attempt of a clearance reached Dan Biton who slipped it to Igor Zlatanovic whose effort saw Melika recover and save. Helder Lopez flashed a shot which rolled across the face of goal before Dan Biton forced Melika to palm away another powerful shot. In the 15th minute Lazetic was forced to make his first change as Ion Nicolaescu went down after a rough tackle by Djibril Diop as the Moldovan striker was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel.

In the 23rd minute however Be’ersheva took the lead as Biton fed Zlatanovic who sent a powerful low drive that beat Melika at the bottom corner.

Maccabi continued to press in a bid to score an equalizer as in the 44th minute Dor Peretz released Saied Abu Farchi who burst into the box and from a tight angle sent a shot come cross that beat Niv Eliasi but rolled across the face of goal. A minute into the six of added the fourth official signaled for Jehezkel chested a ball down just outside the area and unleashed a powerful drop kick that beat Eliasi but narrowly missed the top corner.

Second Half:

Maccabi began the second half just like the first one with a good goalscoring opportunity. Jehezkel fed Revivo whose initial left foot shot was blocked before picking the rebound and sending a shot with his right which Eliasi parried for a corner.

In the 54th minute Itamar Noy dispossessed a Be’ersheva defender on the edge of the area before trying to break through. But Be’ersheva’s defense and their keeper Eliasi managed to block and clear. Just before the hour mark a Heitor dos Santos slip awarded Biton the ball but Melika pulled two stunning saves to keep out Zlatanovic from doubling Be’ersheva’s lead.

Maccabi continued to push forward as a Davida counter attack on 63 saw the winger unleash a left foot pile driver that Eliasi managed to save.

Referew David Fuxman showed the yellow card for the first time in the game booking Tyrese Asante for a mistimed tackle on 66.

Three minutes later Noy was also cautioned for a foul on Kings Kangwa just inside Maccabi’s half.

In the 80th minute Helio Varela replaced Davida as Lazetic introduced the Cape Verde winger for the closing stages.

Lazetic made a double substitution in the 89th minute as Noy and Asante bowed out and were replaced by Kervin Andrade and Elad Madmon.

Maccabi’s record against Hapoel Be’ersheva, the highest victory at Turner, and Maccabi’s stats in matches that conclude the first league round.

Both clubs met each in the league so far on 136 occasions with Maccabi winning 65, Be’ersheva winning 31 while 40 encounters ended in a draw. The total goal tally in league matches currently stands on 193–115.
Maccabi played 66 matches away to Hapoel Be’ersheva winning 25 times while Be’ersheva won 21.

Maccabi is the only team in the league, amongst those who played five league matches or more, with a positive record away to Hapoel Be’ersheva.
Since Be’ersheva relocated to Turner stadium Maccabi played 18 matches winning 6, drawing 5 while the hosts won 7.

Maccabi’s highest victory at Turner in all competitions was a 6-1 win the Toto Cup at the start of the 2023/24 season. Eran Zahavi (hat-trick), Yonatan Cohen, Dor Peretz, and Dan Biton were amongst the scorers.

Maccabi’s highest league victory at Turer was a 4-0 win on the final day of the 2018/19 championship winning season. Yonatan Cohen, Avi Rikan, Eli Dasa, and an own goal by Ogu were on target.

A total of 85 Maccabi players represented Maccabi against Be’ersheva at Turner in the league. Dor Peretz made the most appearances for Maccabi at Turner with 11 matches.
Ofir Davidzada, who returned to Be’ersheva from Maccabi in the summer, and Avi Rikan are bot second with 9 appearances each.

To date 12 players scored for Maccabi in league matches at Turner. Dor Peretz and Weslley Patati lead that chart with 3 goals each.

Hapoel Be’ersheva’s coach Ran Kuzukh faced Maccabi in 9 league matches of which Maccabi won 5, Kuzukh won once while 3 matches ended in draws.

Maccabi’s MD13 at Turner will conclude the 2025/26 first league round.
Overall, Maccabi’s record at the end of the first round currently stands on 33 victories, 20 draws, and 20 defeats.

Throughout history, Maccabi completed the first round against 24 different league opponents. The most frequent first-round finales were against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Petah Tikva, 9 encounters each.

Maccabi met Hapoel Be’ersheva on the final match of the first league round 5 times.
Ben Luz scored the only goal of the game in 1995, while Djibril Sidibe repeated that at Wassermil stadium in 2011.
Three other matches ended in draws in 1982, 1984, 1988.

The highest victory to round off a first round came in the 1986/87 season as Maccabi beat Beitar Netanya 7-1 during their only season in the top flight. Eli Driks (2), Yair Sanduri (2), Alon Natan (2), and Benny Tabak scored the goals.