Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Sports Director spoke to the assembled media following Maccabi’s 2:1 win at home against Bnei Sakhnin at the Netanya Stadium. Cruyff discussed Oscar Scarione, Barak Itzhaki, his ultimate passion and why he doesn’t want to remain as coach:

“Because I think it’s the right thing to do, and I think it’s important that I do my job and the coach can do his job and it will make Maccabi stronger. I wish I could gave you more information as to why I’m still here but one day we will let you know.”

Maccabi’s play:

“I was happy with 30-35 minutes and then we began to lose the ball very easily and that’s what you can’t do to against Bnei Sakhnin because they have a very good counter attack. It’s what everyone wants to see, the players, fans and I all enjoyed it. But when we stopped doing what we did then we let Sakhnin back into the game and we paid the price. The key today was we didn’t get that second goal quickly enough .”

Getting back into the Championship race:

“I think the players understand that if we make mistakes then we will pay for it. Over the last few weeks we had an 11-point difference and we had a chance to cut into that lead. If we wanted to get back into it we had to do something today.”

Game by game:

“The best thing is that we focus game by game and Wednesday is the next important game which is in a different competition.”

Goal scorer Oscar Scarione:

“Scarione’s running statistics are always good and so is his goal scoring ability.”

Tal Ben Chaim’s status:

“When it’s a big financial decision I don’t have the final say. We sell the most players to Europe and we have had no problems selling players. But that is usually done in June and not January when we have to strengthen. The reason Tal didn’t play today was that he was really hurt.”

Nosa Igiebor not being in the squad:

“He trained apart from the rest if the club and it wasn’t enough for him to play.”

Transfers:

“The plans are always there and we don’t comment about these things in the press conference.”

Agreeing to terms with Marcelo Machado dos Santos:

“We looked for a player that wasn’t a play maker but who was hungry, with the dream of using us to go to the bigger leagues and will give battle in the midfield and will be imposing. We have to also remember that it takes time for foreigners to adjust to the Israeli league just as we had with Vidar. Everything takes time and he’ll adjust.”

The Ultimate Passion:

“The least I can do is give 200%. I’m not in the field and it’s the players that have to produce on the pitch, they are the ones that need to be commended. I like teams that can change systems during the game, this for me is my ultimate passion.”

About Barak Itzhaki:

“He’s a player with personality and when he presses the whole team follows him. I felt bad to take him off especially that he missed the penalty and the guilt feeling comes inside but we needed fresh legs.”

Having a Coach and Sports Director rolled up into one:

“That’s why the roles need to be split because it gives players an awkward feeling.”

Oscar Scarione scored a brace with goals in the first and second half to lead the Yellow & Blue to victory over Bnei Sakhnin on Matchday 19 of Ligat Ha’Al action. Giorginho drew the visitors even but the Argentine’s second goal gave Maccabi the win in the 78th minute to help cut the Beer Sheva lead to six points.

Prematch
Sports Director Jordi Cruyff made a couple of changes to the Starting XI that featured against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby as Oscar Scarione made his long awaited return from injury and Dor Micha also earned a spot on the pitch to start the match. Predrag Rajikovic was the keeper as Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Egor Filipenka and Avi Rikan played in front of him on defense. Captain Gal Alberman was the defensive midfielder as Eyal Golasa and Scarione played beside him. Barak Itzhaki, Vidar Kjartansson and Micha provided the attack.

Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Lifshitz, Omri Ben Harush, Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim, Sagiv Yehezkel, Haris Medunjanin and Dor Peretz.

First Half
Maccabi came out fast and furious in search of a quick goal and almost got one in the 3rd minute via a Barak Itzhaki header off a cross by Dasa. Number 2 was again in the thick of things in the 9th minute as he sent Kjartansson a nice ball, but the Icelandic striker was tripped up in the box and couldn’t get a clean shot off.

Scarione, making his return from injury gave Itzhaki a magnificent pass in the 14th minute but number 10’s chance just missed the target as Maccabi looked for that elusive first strike. However, they didn’t have to look much longer as number 5 worked his magic a minute later and slotted the ball into the far right hand corner to give the Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead.

The Itzhaki & Scarione combination worked to perfection as Maccabi swarmed the box and didn’t let up until they found the back of the goal. Terrific return for the Argentine midfielder.

Kjartansson almost doubled the score in the 26th minute but his scorcher was saved by Kandil while two minutes later Itzhaki took a nice passing play by Micha and Dasa but his effort was stopped by the Sakhnin keeper. The visitors had their first chance of the match in the 30th minute but Yuval Abidor’s header went over the bar.

In the 43rd minute, Micha had a chance from in close but his opportunity went flying over the goal as the sides went into the break with Maccabi maintaining a 1:0 lead.

Second Half
Maccabi came out of halftime looking to add to their lead and almost did just that in the 50th minute when Ramzi Sfori pulled down Golasa in the box for a penalty which Itzhaki in turn struck over the bar to keep the score as is.

Following a pair of yellow cards handed out to Itzhaki and Alberman, the former was substituted off in the 65th minute in favor of Yossi Benayoun. Sakhnin began to threaten as Sfori had a 70th minute chance that just missed the target, but Giorginhnio’s opportunity three minutes later didn’t as the visitors drew even in the 73rd minute thanks in part to Abidor’s assist.

Cruyff introduced Haris Medunjanin for Golasa immediately following the goal to find the go-ahead marker which is precisely what the Yellow & Blue did. Alberman located Scarione deep in the box as the Argentine magician again put home the ball for his second goal of the game giving the Yellow & Blue a 2:1 lead in the 78th minute.

Dor Peretz came on for Micha in the 89th minute while Sfori picked up his second yellow card in added time good for a red after a reckless tackle on Rikan as the referee blew the whistle to end the match and give Maccabi the win.

The Yellow & Blue will now prepare for a Round of 16 Israel State Cup contest on Wednesday night at Hapoel Raanana, 19:00 at the Netanya Stadium.

Sapir Railway Station is now open: Information for shuttles to and from the Stadium

Maccabi Tel Aviv is happy to announce the opening of the Sapir Train Station which is right near the Netanya Stadium. Maccabi Tel Aviv has been able to open up a special shuttle lane in order for the fans to easily make it to and from the Stadium. Fans who are traveling southbound following the match will be able to change trains at the Lod Station and continue to locations south all the way to the Beer Sheva Central Station.

Tickets are now available for the Train+Shuttle from additional locations other than Tel Aviv including Rishon Le’Zion Moshe Dayan, Bat Yam Hakomeymut, Bat Yam Yoseftal, Holon Wolfson and Tzomet Holon.

Please note: Beginning this match the shuttle stop will be on the bridge adjacent to the stadium.

Me: “Hey pal, when are you leaving for the match? We’ve got to leave early so we won’t be late, hit traffic, park and so on…”

Friend: “Are you serious?! What traffic and what parking?! We’ll meet at the station while FANZONE and Maccabi worry about the rest.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv, FANZONE, and Israel Railways are happy to get you ready you for a wonderful match experience that begins on the way to the stadium and will accompany you to every home game this season. You don’t believe it? Then come and try it out. 

Instead of trying to figure out how long it will take to get to the stadium with your car, just purchase a round trip ticket to the Netanya station then pick up the shuttle right to the stadium’s front door. What happens after the match? The shuttles will be waiting to take you right back to the train station and all this at a great price.

IMPORTANT! Israel Railways will be operating a special train following the match on a “Fill & Go” basis. As soon as the train is full it will head back to the Tel Aviv area. Find out the full schedule and more info at Rail.co.il

How do you purchase a shuttle ticket?

• Click on the following link to enter the FANZONE website:
• Purchase a shuttle ticket keep the confirmation that you will receive on your mobile phone (there is also an option to print the confirmation) and bring it with you. Please note that this is your round trip shuttle ticket.
• You didn’t buy a ticket in advance? Well that was a mistake, but you always learn from mistakes. You can purchase a ticket at the Netanya station for the full price of 25 NIS.
• You’ve already saved plenty of valuable time on your way to the stadium.

FANZONE is also handling the shuttles to the stadium. To register for one of the shuttles CLICK HERE

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement in principal with Brazilian outfit Vitoria to purchase midfielder Marcelo Machado dos Santos.

The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder (181cm) who made his senior debut for Vitoria in 2013 is set to arrive in Tel Aviv in the next few days and undergo a medical.

The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder (181cm) who made his senior debut for Vitoria in 2013 is set to arrive in Tel Aviv in the next few days and undergo a medical.

More details will follow after the player completes his medical and signs for Maccabi.