The Yellow & Blue visited Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 4 and needed three goals from Omer Atlizy, Vidar Kjartansson and Nick Blackman to defeat Maccabi Netanya who had taken the lead twice thanks to goals by Alhassane Keita and Dia Sabia. Maccabi Tel Aviv will welcome Maccabi Haifa to the Netanya Stadium on Sunday following the Rosh Hashana Jewish New Year.

Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic, with a defensive quartet of Captain Sheran Yeini, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Eitan Tibi and Ofir Davidzada. Jose Rodriguez, Cristian Battocchio and Barak Itzhaki were in the midfield while Nick Blackman, Omer Atzily and Vidar Kjartansson were up front.

Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Yuval Shpungin, Dor Peretz, Eliran Atar, Avi Rikan, Tal Ben Haim and Tino Susic.

First Half
Maccabi took control of the contest early and had the first chance of the match when Vidar crossed the ball from the right side to an oncoming Blackman in the box but just missed his intended target in the ‘6. A minute later Battocchio tried his luck from long distance but the Netanya keeper Dani Amos made the save.

The hosts then had back to back chances as Dia Sabia sent a ball into the Maccabi box which Eden Shrem just headed past the left post in the ‘11 while Shrem’s chance a minute later was just tipped over the bar by Rajikovic. The Yellow & Blue then went back the other way as Battocchio left the ball for Blackman but his 20 meter effort went wide right and out for a goal kick. Rodriguez was then issued a yellow card in the ‘18.

With play heating it up it would Netanya who would find the back of the goal first as Koby Mor sent a ball into the box from the left side that Alhassane Keita headed home for a 1:0 lead in the ‘22. However, one minute later Maccabi stormed back as Atzily unleashed a screamer from 25 meters out that found the back of the goal to draw the Yellow & Blue even. But Netanya retook the lead in the ‘29 as Dia Sabia came streaking down the left side and beat Rajikovic for a 2:1 lead.

In the ‘38 Davidzada was shown a yellow card for a tackle to the right of the Maccabi area and Sabia’s ensuing free kick just went wide of the right post. Four minutes later Itzhaki was also handed a yellow card for a reckless tackle near the midfield as the hosts took a 2:1 advantage into the break.

Second Half
Netanya looked to add to their lead early on as Keita sent a ball into the box that Rajikovic was able to get to in the ‘47. Maccabi would draw even at 2:2 three minutes later when Vidar sent the ball into the back of the goal from the left side. In the ‘52 Atzily was issued a yellow card as the match continued at a frantic pace while Maccabi looked to take the lead.

And the lead they would take as they found the go ahead goal thanks to a wonderful individual effort by Blackman from outside of the box in the ‘59 to give the Yellow & Blue a 3:2 advantage. What a turnaround as the Englishman curls the ball into the top left hand corner of the goal for his first marker in Israel.

Cruyff would make his first substitution of the match in the ‘63 when Avi Rikan was introduced in favor of Itzhaki. Netanya turned up their attack a notch as they were the ones now chasing a goal but Rajikovic made the necessary stops to quell the danger. Maccabi made their second substitution of the evening in the ‘77 as Eliran Atar entered the contest in favor of Kjartansson and their final one on the ‘83 when Tal Ben Haim came on for Atzily.

Barak Badash headed the ball over the Maccabi goal in the ‘83 while Rikan’s one on one attempt a few minutes later was stopped by Amos three minutes later as the Yellow & Blue wrapped up a dramatic win in style!

Coach
Slobodan Drapic is the Netanya Head Coach but the club’s success is also due to his assistant coach Shay Barda who has been the Serbian-Israeli’s right hand man for a number of years and with a number of clubs. They worked together at Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle, Beitar Jerusalem and now with Maccabi Netanya as the dynamic duo look to make the Diamond City side one to reckon with in the Israel Premier League both last season when they were in the Leumit league and this season back in the top division.

Comings and goings

Just like every other club in the Ligat Ha’Al, there were plenty of roster moves for Netanya. Keeper Dani Amos, Ben Tzeiri, Hagay Goldenberg and Dan Glatzer who was loaned from Maccabi Tel Aviv have joins the ranks of the Diamond City squad while foreigners Tim Heubach, Alhassane Keita and the speedy Leandro Ribeiro are also noteworthy members of the squad.

What have they done so far?
Netanya have taken 5 of 9 points so far this campaign and drew Hapoel Beer Sheva 1:1 at Turner Stadium on Matchday 1. After a 2:2 draw against Hapoel Acre, they defeated Hapoel Raanana 3:0 as their enjoyable style of play have made them one of the most exciting and intriguing teams. Maccabi has played Netanya in the Toto Cup in a match that ended in a 0:0 draw.

Under the magnifying glass
One of the reasons that Maccabi Netanya has been such a fun team to watch this season is because Eran Levy has been in the center of every conversation about the club. The captain has been in good form thanks to his lethal left foot as he has been able to help the club move forward. He has assisted on two goals while scoring one this campaign and has dished out many qualities balls to his teammates. Dia Sabia has been one of his main beneficiaries along with his left foot as he has scored three goals so far this campaign. Maccabi will also need to keep an eye on Ali Muhammad and Aviv Avraham as they have turned out to be very refreshing surprises this season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to continue their fine form in league action when they visit Maccabi Netanya at the Netanya Stadium on Monday night at 21:00 on Matchday 4 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. Eitan Tibi addressed the assembled media at the prematch press conference and began by discussing the injury that is forcing him to wear a face mask:

“I feel good and the more I can play the better I’ll feel. The face mask doesn’t bother me that much and they fixed it up so it will be as best as possible for me as I’d rather play than sit on the side.”

The amount of central defenders in the squad:
“That’s the decision of the club and it wouldn’t be right of me to opine on the issue. The club wants to succeed and I have a part in helping in its success.”

The injury bug:
“There’s a price to pay for not having a long break. Of course it’s also a matter of luck. We have a club with a big squad and every player can fill the void.”

The publication of the starting lineup:
“I’ve been here for 6 years and this is how it’s been for the six years as well. I got used to it and it’s a part of me now. Even though it may not always be pleasant it’s something we have to deal with. We know each other very well and I don’t believe that it’s something that bothered us against Slavia Prague.”

About Netanya:
“We know what to expect from them and I believe and hope that we will see that on the pitch. Netanya is an excellent club but we have making our preparations and we will make the adjustments that are necessary for this match.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv returns to league play on Monday night at 21:00 at Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 4 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The club held the prematch press conference this afternoon as Jordi Cruyff looked ahead to upcoming contest at the Netanya Stadium:

“We have to make the switch from the Europa League and make sure that we are ready. The league is our main objective and we have to be prepared for the match against Maccabi Netanya.”

The Starting XI:
“When you lose an easy match then there could be many changes. In the six seasons that I’ve been here we have made many changes. We don’t publish the lineup in advance and I like that everyone has the feeling that they could play. We will continue to work as we have over the past six seasons and I don’t see any reason why we need to change this now”

About Netanya:
“We played against them in the Toto Cup and they were very good in that match. They have a system that they use to play against every club and that’s something that we have to respect. They have an identity and it’s tough to play against them, but we will play our football and we will identify where our strengths are. The interesting part of modern football is changing systems and we have to occasionally do that.”

The success of the former Maccabi players:
“I’m happy for them. They were very committed when they were here and they gave 100%. I’m always happy when they are successful and they all know that.”

On Battocchio and Susic:
“I’m happy with their play over the past few matches and I’m used to the criticism being leveled at the foreign players first in Israel. Their nationality isn’t important, they have to do what we expect from them. I remember when they said that Rajikovic was a flop and in my opinion he is now one of the most valuable players in Israeli football.”

2012/13: שלושער של עטר מול הפועל חיפה