Dor Micha, the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder looked back at his squad’s 2:2 draw as the Yellow & Blue bowed out of the Champions League:

“This is very disappointing for everyone and we wanted to continue to the Champions League as we could have gotten to the group stages but now we have to play in the Europa League.”

Penalty that changed it all:
“It’s a failure for us that we didn’t pass this round and without the penalty who knows how we would have done in this game, but we didn’t deserve to win.”

Getting better as the season continues:
“This time last year we also weren’t that good and helpfully we will get better as time goes on.”

His fitness:
“This is the first time that I played 90 minutes and I’ll be fine.”

Fan support:
“Now our main goal is to advance to the Europe League and we can do that if the fans come out and help us like today.”

Not advancing to the Champions League:
“It’s very painful and I won’t lie to you. Hopefully we will have other opportunities to do that in the future.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach spoke about his side’s 2:2 draw (3:2 aggregate) following the contest:

“It’s a disappointment. We opened the game the best way and then we gave up a goal two minutes late. I think we played better than the first game and we created chances, more than the first game but after their second goal it was hard to score three. We had a few chances but this is football. We have a week to get ready for our next game in Europe.”

Giving the maximum:
“A lot of times the better team doesn’t win the game. Cluj scored one goal more than us and they went to the next stage. This was just our second game and I believe the players gave the maximum at this moment.”

Working harder:
“It’s my responsibility that we didn’t pass this stage and we can now look back at what we could have done better and we can see what we have to fix and work harder.”

Could have done better:
“The result shows we aren’t ready enough. We worked 5 weeks in training camp but after these two games we missed something that we could have done better.”

2010/11: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:0 Olympiacos
Europa League qualification saw the Yellow & Blue face the prestigious Greek club in the 3rd round. The first leg ended in a 2:1 win for Olympiacos in Greece and the decisive contest took place at Bloomfield Stadium. The fans cheered Maccabi on and sent them to one of the great victories: Watch the highlights:

2015/16: Maccabi Tel Aviv 5:1 Hibernians
Maccabi came into the 2nd leg at Bloomfield Stadium after suffering a 2:1 defeat in Malta. But the Yellow & Blue lifted their heads and knew what their mission was. Even when the match was even, Slavisa Jokanovic’s squad knew what to do in one of the great second halves to secure the winץ

2015/16: Viktoria Plzen 0:2 Maccabi Tel Aviv
The 2:2 draw in Basel may have been one of the most unforgettable moments of the Champions League qualifying campaign. However, that may not have even happened should the Yellow & Blue not put on quite the performance in the Czech Republic. Following a 2:1 loss at home Maccabi came into the second leg and put on a show that made this contest one of the greatest in the club’s history shocking the Plzen faithful.

Avi Rikan, the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder spoke about his side’s Champions League qualification match at the Netanya Stadium in front of the home crowd against Cluj:

“It was just the first half and we have a very important match tomorrow. We have to come in very well prepared, score goals and be very intense. I’m sure that’s what will be. We will play a quality game and I’m sure we can score some goals. We will bring a lot of intensity into the match.” 

Fans to be an important factor:
“We have 90+ minutes and we have a lot of faith and confidence after analyzing last match. There is plenty of time to score and we of course don’t want to give up a goal. The fans will play a big part and they will be an important factor for us in a sold out stadium. I’m sure we will do it.”

Giving up a goal off a set piece:
“We work on that aspect of the game a lot as we did last season. I can’t put a finger on why we gave up a goal but we have to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Playing better:
“I know we can play better than we did last match. We looked at the stats after the game and we could do more and you will see that tomorrow. We all are at fault for the goal as we are also responsible for clean sheets.”

Pressure:
“There will be pressure and if a player can’t handle that then they are in the wrong profession. We will take that pressure to the good side and use that to help us score which we have plenty of time to do so.”

Advancing:
“When I came to Maccabi four years ago we advanced all the way to the Champions League. Our goal is to advance past Cluj. We don’t have an easy match tomorrow and we all have to give over 100% and just think about the match and nothing more.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the assembled media ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg second round Champions League clash against Cluj from Romania at the Netanya Stadium at 20:00:

“This is the second game and we have a one goal deficit. We are now at home and we want to play in the next stage. We have to score at least two goals and it won’t be easy. Cluj has been the Romanian champs the past two seasons and they have a quality team and many foreigners. Remember they had played already 4-5 Official matches and last match was just our first. They only had one shot on target and they scored. We have to be concentrated for 95 minutes and not give the opponent any chances. We know that we can win and maybe we didn’t create a lot last match, however, we had more chances than the opponent. The second game will be different and the players know what we ask of them. Playing in front of our fans will be a big help.” 

Getting a good result:
“These are the players who are with Maccabi at this moment and they will show that they are the best players in Israel and give their best to get a good result. I am responsible to make sure that there is no negative pressure and that’s my job.”

Playing both sides of the ball:
“I believe we can score 3 goals. We have to prepare to play this game on both the attack and the defensive side. We know set pieces are special for the team but a small mistake can make us pay. We have to be positive and fight for every ball and give 100%. I’m sure our fans will be there and support us.”

Team:
“We are a team and we work like a team. That’s from my first day until my last. I will never point out one player especially in front of the media. Whatever I have to tell the player I tell them and sometimes it’s face to face and sometimes it’s in front of the players. But this season I will not speak about the players individually.”

Champions League:
“This is the biggest competition for whoever works in European football. The Champions League is something special and we all give our maximum. We will do it as we know how to do it. I hope tomorrow the players will play the way they know how to play and focus for 95+ minutes the result will be what we need it to be.”

Last year’s match against Sarpsborg:
“We watched this game a few days ago with the staff. When we saw the penalty it was a big headache again and it’s one in a hundred chance. Sometimes it happens to help you and sometimes to hinder. There are mistakes as well. Some decisions are 50/50 and the referees always do the best. But I want to focus on the game and this is now a new year and new competition and we want to be in the next stage of the Champions League. We will do the best that we can to do just that.”