Preview
After a three-week absence Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the much-awaited top of the table clash against Hapoel Be’ersheva. With both teams on 70 points and only two goals separating between them in the league standings, plenty is at stake in the title race. Having beaten Be’ersheva once in the regular season at Bloomfield (1-0) and once in the playoff at Turner (3-1), Zarko Lazetic’s charges would like to extend their unbeaten record against the Southerners this season. The business end of the 2024/25 WINNER League campaign means that every advantage gained at this match could prove vital to decide the fate of the closest championship race in years.
Zarko Lazetic made no changes to the side that beat Hapoel Haifa 3-1 at Sammy Ofer last week. Simon Sluga kept his place in goal with Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic lining up as the two central defenders in front of the Croatian custodian. Idan Nachmias on the right making his 105th Maccabi appearance and Roy Revivo on the left, completed the back-four. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role was handed his 110th appearance in Yellow and Blue sitting behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. Maccabi’s midfield trio were facing a tough battle at the center of the park from Be’ersheva’s Lucas Ventura, Eliel Peretz and Kings Kangwa. Osher Davida on one wing and Weslley Patati who scored a brace at Turner on the other flak supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. While Dor Turgeman who scored 17 goals in all competitions including a spectacular solo effort that won the previous match against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, led the attack.
On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Raz Shlomo, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, and Ido Shahar who all waited for a chance to make an impact.
Prior to kick-off several ceremonies took place in memory of two former players Andreas Prohorenkovs (48) and David Karako (80) who passed away last week. Two of the hostages who were released from captivity in Gaza; Arbel Yehud and Omer Shem Tov – were presented with their shirts as was Dan Biton who left Maccabi and joined Be’ersheva earlier this season.
First Half
Bloomfield stadium was packed to its capacity as a wall of noise and sea of color welcomed both sets of players. For the first time this season at a big fixture at Bloomfield, Be’ersheva had 3000 traveling fans who supported the visitors. Four minutes from the start a long ball out of defense almost caught Be’ersheva’s defense off-guard as Osher Davida put pressure on Matan Baltaxa and stripped the defender of the ball. But as the former Maccabi defender managed to recover on time as his last gasp tackle blocked Davida’s effort allowing goalkeeper Niv Eliasi to collect the ball which bobbled into the air and deny Maccabi an early lead. In the 12th minute two other former Maccabi players combined as Eliel Pertetz fed Dan Biton who received the ball just inside Maccabi’s area. The left footed midfielder cut onto his left, shrugged off Nemanja Stojic and buried his shot in Simon Sluga bottom corner to put the visitors in front. It took Maccabi 8 minutes to recover from Be’ersheva’s lead as Zarko Lazetic’s side attacked the visitors’ goal ferociously. Weslley Patati tried his luck with a left foot shot which was equaled by Eliasi. A minute later Joris van Overeem’s pressure pinned Kings Kangwa near his own corner flag before the Dutchman fed Osher Davida who broke into the area and cut the ball to Dor Turgeman. Maccabi’s top scorer must have thought he added another goal to his tally as he swept it with one touch towards goal, but Eliasi stretched himself across his goal line and somehow managed to block for a corner. The resulting corner found Roy Revivo unmarked inside the area but the full back who met the cross with a powerful header sent it over the crossbar.
Three minutes after the half hour mark Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as Revivo fed Patati whose left foot powerful drive from a tight angle managed to confuse Eliasi who turned it into his own goal. Bloomfield erupted as Maccabi continued their blitz and came close two minutes later. A counterattack which deep inside Maccabi’s half was flicked by Dor Peretz into the path of Gabi Kanichowsky before Patati picked Davida in a great position. But Davida’s his first time shot was blocked by the feet of Eliasi who denied Maccabi what would have been an impressive comeback. In the 39th minute however Be’ersheva were handed a good chance to regain their lead as Kangwa charged through the middle before being tripped on the edge of the area by Nemanja Stojic. The Serbian central defender was consequently booked and Be’ersheva awarded a free kick. Biton stepped and before blasting a left foot shot which shaved the top of the crossbar. On the brink of halftime Sluga managed to save with his feet a close range toe poke by Paul Garita which could have given Be’ersheva the lead just before the break.
Second Half
With no change to either side at the interval, both teams emerged for the restart determined to try and break the status quo. Baltaxa tripped Peretz seconds before he was cautioned by referee Gal Leibovic for a rough challenge on Patati. Right on the hour mark Joris van Overeem teed up Revivo on the edge of Beersheva’s area only for his snapshot to sail wide of the near post.
Two minutes later at the opposite end, Stav Lemkin, managed to block a Biton shot which appeared to be making its way in. Kanichowsky drilled a low powerful drive on 64 which was directed straight at Eliasi. A minute later a Zahi Ahmed sent a square ball which rolled across the face of Maccabi’s goal as Be’ersheva looked dangerous going forward.
In the 70th minute Beersheva’s coach Ran Kuzukh introduced Alon Turgeman for Paul Garita while two minutes later Lazetic made his first change as Issouf Sissokho came on for van Overeem. Maccabi’s best chance to score came in the 73rd minute as a spectacular counterattack on saw Kanichowsky release Davida down the right. The pacey winger broke into the area before squaring for Peretz who charged to the middle of the area. But Maccabi’s captain who was in a glorious position to score miscued his shot as he sliced the ball wide. Miguel Vitor fouled Turgeman deep inside Beersheva’s area before Revivo took the free kick which sailed high and wide. Lazetic made a double change in the 84th minute as Patati and Turgeman both bowed out and were replaced by Henry Addo and Eran Zahavi. Second later Maccabi almost took the lead as Peretz had a powerful drive from inside the area which Eliasi managed to save. The full-time whistle confirmed that the points were shared, and the title race will continue for three more matches.
