Shota Arveladze, the Yellow & Blue coach discussed the upcoming European match in Croatia versus Hajduk Split for a ticket to the Europa League group stages. The Maccabi boss talked about the absence of winger Tal Ben Chaim, his impressions about Hajduk and last week’s contest:

“It was a good game and we didn’t want to give up a goal, but we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”

About Hajduk Split:

“This is a good young team, with some quality individuals. Susic I think was the main man last game and they have 2-3 players who can change the game if we give them the space and time. We know them a bit better now as we’ve played them and we saw them live and we know more. We will be better prepared for the second leg.”

Impressions of the first game:

“We never thought that it would be easy and we never had that impression. We knew about the club and we always knew that it would be very tough with the first leg at home and the second leg away.”

On the absence of Tal Ben Chaim:

“Thank God we have a good team and we can change players. We have players to reap ice any player and we’ve done it before. That’s what we’ll have to do tomorrow.”

The atmosphere at Split football matches:

“I never played here, but as a footballer this is a good place to be. As a coach I’ll have that chance tomorrow to be in a good football atmosphere. I want to thank God that he gave me this opportunity.”

Gal Alberman’s status:

“Alberman is good, he is with us and will train today.”

Haris Medunajnin also commented about his expectations about tomorrow’s clash:

“We are here to win and we want to qualify for the group stage. Because of the previous result we will have to work hard tomorrow night.

“I spoke to Susic as he plays for Bosnia-Herzkovina, I think that his is a great player, we talked about the city but we didn’t talk about the match as we both expect to win.”

The Yellow & Blue central defender discussed the upcoming Europa League Playoff Round second leg contest against Hajduk Split on Thursday at 20:30 at the Stadion Poljud. Tibi spoke about staying at Maccabi, the goals for tomorrow night and the flight to Croatia:

“This flight was much easier, shorter and a lot more fun than the others we’ve had.”

Beer Sheva’s play against Celtic influencing Maccabi’s performance:

“We watched Celtic play Beer Sheva and from the beginning of our campaign we’ve wanted to make it to the group stages of the Europa League. We won last game and this match is an away contest that’s starting at 0:0 and the most important thing is to make it through and advance.”

The advantage Maccabi may have:

“We’re a team that has played in a number of challenging situations and we may have more experience but we can’t be complacent coming this match and we have to be ready to go.”

The Split crowd:

“I always say that it’s better to have a fanatical crowd than a quiet one and they will allow us to play football in a packed stadium. It’s something that we are used to and it will add to our play.”

Staying at Maccabi:

“I’m happy that I’m continuing with the Club for a number of years more and it gives me some peace and quiet to know where my future is. We’ve had a lot of success over the past four years and I want that to continue when I’m at Maccabi.”

Believing back in 2012 that Maccabi would reach the levels that they gave over the past few years:

“Yes, I believed that this would be the case. I believed when many others didn’t and that’s true even today. My goal was to come to Maccabi and help take the club to where it hadn’t been over the past number of years before I came here.”

Tel Ben Haim, Maccabi’s number 26 spoke about the Europa League playoff round second leg match this coming Thursday night in Split at 20:30 local time. The defender talked about returning from injury, preparation and the match itself:

“Maccabi wants to win the upcoming match and we won last match 2:1. We know that it will be a tough game but we have enough experienced players who have played in this type of atmosphere and situation who know what to do.”

Giving up goals:

“I don’t think we’ve given up a goal in every game, half of the matches we didn’t give it a goal I believe, but we know it’s a tough away match and we will have to be cautious but I think that we will be fine at the end of the day.”

Game preparation:

“We prepare for every game the same way but when it comes to a critical match we know what to do just as we did when we advanced to the Champions League last season. We are playing a tough opponent and we will do our best.”

Returning from injury:

“I was out for a few months and it was the first time that this has ever happened to me but thankfully I am now getting back into shape.”

Playing together with Benayoun:

“Yossi was in Liverpool and I was in Chelsea so the journalists liked to make a big deal about it, but I can tell you we have a terrific relationship.”

The loss of Eran Zahavi:

“Eran was a very important player, but now I his being here is in the past. We are trying to put together a team that will work together and not rely on just one player but all of us together as a unit.”

The Captain’s armband:

“I am at the stage of my career where it doesn’t really interest me and it’s great that the younger players are taking the responsibility like Dor Micha and it gives them some very good experience. I was captain at Maccabi 12 years ago, for the Israel National team and in England as a second captain. The result on Thursday is most important to all of us right now.

Beer Sheva’s current form:

“We aren’t looking at Beer Sheva right now but I’m sure that both sides are wishing each other luck in European competition.”

Shota Arveladze, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s boss discussed his side’s crucial European contest in Croatia this coming Thursday evening. The Georgian talked about the squad, the match ahead and mentioned the Olympics right at the start of his address to the media:

About the Olympics:

“You will be surprised but I didn’t watch one Olympic football match, I just watched a bit of the Georgian athletes as I didn’t have much time.”

Thursday’s match:

“We have a football game with a very good atmosphere coming up. Last year was a big step for the club when they went to the Champions League group stages. Maccabi had a great year last year even though they didn’t win any prizes. Having so many points in the league, Champions League and Cup Final the club did many things positively. Everything is inches in football. A post here or a post there and anything can be decided by these small amounts. We always think that Maccabi has to be in the group stages of a European competition and it’s very important for the club.”

About Hajduk Split:

“We have an opponent that we know a bit better than the prior week because we played them. We know that they have a good crowd and we know their strong points. We are a few steps ahead of last week. Right now we won last week’s game and we have one more game to go. We always play to win and try to get a result that we planned. We began this summer with the goal of making it to the European group stages and we are almost there.”

On what Split thinks about Maccabi:

“If they think we are weak then that is good, I’m happy they are thinking about us.”

Game plan:

“The plan is to play our own game and not give up a goal. We won’t change our style of play and we can’t change our style of play. We will not drop back. There may be some minutes where we need to defend but we are planning to play our football. At the end of the day we have enough experience to win the game.”

The squad:

“We don’t have 4-6 players every game. Everyone comes and works hard every day. It’s the hardest job for the coach to leave people out of the squad but we trust all of our players. We have replacements for everybody.”

Potential transfers:

“We are always searching for players and there is always talk about who will stay and who will go, but we will do the best that we can for Maccabi. If we feel that we need to get stronger then we will. It’s not good for the club and the players if they want to play and they can’t play. That’s something normal. We always try to have every player of the 21 or 22 play.”

Advancing the player’s careers:

“I never think as to what is good for the players and their careers. They have to decide for themselves. I am responsible for Maccabi. I see the players come and respect the club and I have to say that every single player I’ve seen respects each other.”

Yossi Benayoun, the Yellow & Blue midfielder spoke about his side’s 3:1 victory over Hapoel Kfar Saba on Matchday One of the Ligat Ha’Al. Number 51 looked ahead to Thursday’s Europa League contest, the big squad and winning on Matchday One:

“We wanted to win our first match and open the league up well and we did exactly that. Now we can look ahead to Thursday.”

Lots of chances but not being able to score early on:

“It’s part of the game and we knew that we had to have patience and even though we had control of the all it took some time. It’s all a matter of time. As long as we kept getting chances we knew that the ball would eventually go in. Luckily we scored in the last minute of the first half which opened up the game and it made the second half a lot easier.”

The big squad:

“We have an excellent squad and we all know that there is a rotation. Hopefully we will advance to the group stages of the Europa League and there will be more games for all of the players to be a part of. Everyone knows their role and this is a veteran group of players who have all played before so we know what the expectations are and do the maximum.”

Hajduk Split on Thursday:

“We have a small advantage going into the second leg with a 2:1 lead and we will have to go there and play the best that we can, win the match and play our game.”

Number 9, Eden Ben Basat discussed his team’s effort in the 3:1 win against Hapoel Kfar Saba as the Yellow & Blue opened up their sixth straight season with a victory. The striker looked ahead to Thursday’s match in Croatia, scoring goals, transfer talk and getting a chance to pay and score:

“I started the Toto Cup match and scored and I opened up the league season by starting and I scored as well. It’s always good to start, play and to especially help out the team and score goals. I’ve got to continue working hard and I’m happy that I’ve been able to produce.”

Transfer talk:

“I am really not concerning myself with all of this type of talk and my goal is to let my play in the pitch speak for itself.”

Scoring goals:

“Kfir Saba played the way they should but our objective is to score goals and it took some time to get the first but then we scored the second and third.”

Atmosphere in Split:

“We’ve seen the fans and their stadium on TV but we’ve been in plenty of similar stadiums and we will continue on our way.”

Upcoming Europa League match:

“Football is a dynamic sport and we were definitely not complacent this past Thursday. Sometimes you score a goal from nothing and we will come into the game focussed and the game will be totally different than we’ve experienced before.”