Eitan Tibi, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s central defender who has slid into the right back position spoke about the change in the club’s defensive setup while also commenting on being a winner as well as the State Cup match on Thursday against Rishon Le’Zion:

“There’s no question that Maccabi Petach Tikva is a good team. I’m happy that we earned three very important points and now we have to keep looking forward to our next challenge.”

The change in the defensive setup and playing right back:

“Whatever the coach will ask me to do, I will do and I’ll give the maximum in any role that I’m asked to fill. We had some injured players and the coach knew that I could play that position so I did whatever I could to help the club and the team.”

The victory over Petach Tikva and the success over the past few years:

“We pressured them and we won the game, but we have to just concentrate on what we are doing on the pitch. Over the last few years it really doesn’t matter who the coach has been but we have the will to win every match and every competition. We are a group of winners and I hope that it continues.”

The new coach’s style:

“Every coach has his way and style and we as players have to adjust to that. I’m sure that over the next few games we will look even better. When a coach wants to bring in a different style it always takes time to get used to.

The upcoming State Cup match against Rishon Le’Zion:

“It’s not going to be an easy match at all. The State Cup is never a competition that one should feel that they are favorites and we always have to be at the top of our game and be ready.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv picked up their 15th win of the WINNER League season by defeating Maccabi Petach Tikva 3:1 on a goal by Nosa Igiebor and a brace by Eran Zahavi. The captain summed up the victory, discussed his goals and also commented on Gili Vermouth’s status with the club:

“Petach Tikva had a number of chances but we just had more. We should have finished off this match in the first half. I’m happy that we won, played many minutes of good football and that we pressured our opponent which we did last year and the year before. For some reason they didn’t let us water the grass before the first half and I don’t know why. Since we were the hosts then we should have been able to decide these types of things.”

On the gorgeous first half goal:

“I’m really happy about how amazing that goal was. Micha made an terrific pass. That was one of my top 10 goals of all time. But above all, I’m happy that we won the game.”

About Beer Sheva who plays after Maccabi on Sunday night:

“I really don’t concern myself with Beer Sheva, but how we collect points and how we continue to improve as a team. That’s the only way we will keep getting results.”

The latest on Gili Vermouth:

“There are moments in one’s career as a professional footballer that just aren’t that simple. Moments when you just have to keep your chin up. It was not that easy for Gili to come over and play for Maccabi, but over the last half year he has played well and has done some really good things for the club. There is a new coach here now and the situation is not an easy one, but with hard work he can change that situation and get some opportunities. If he leaves, I’ll be disappointed for him and for the club because he is a great player. I do everything I can to help all of the Maccabi players.”

Yellow-and-Blue Head Coach Peter Bosz discussed his side’s 3:1 victory over Maccabi Petach Tikva with the help of an Eran Zahavi brace and a goal by Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor. He spoke about Zahavi’s performance, not including Gili Vermouth in the squad and of course about his team’s performance.

“I’m happy with the result because everybody told me before the game that it would be difficult. It was a fantastic win. We gave up too many chance and they hit the bar, but overall we played a good game with a lot of chances ourselves. We should have score 2 or 3 more goals, but we played a good game.”

Maccabi Petach Tikva’s effort this evening:

“Maccabi Petach Tikva was a bit unlucky, but we I’ll analyze this game and see what we can do to play better defense going forward.”

On Gili Vermouth not being included in the squad:

“The decision is mine as I am the coach. I had conversation with him and he was a true professional and I explained that I wanted to see Eli Dasa who I didn’t have a chance to see play yet. He trained well and was fantastic this week. It’s all about the relationship I have with my players. He’s training hard.”

Eran Zahavi’s performance:

“He scored some amazing goals tonight. I think that he played very well also against Maccabi Haifa as well, but he was amazing tonight. The type of goals he scored were very special.”

Eli Dasa, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s right back is ready to kick off this evening at 20:00 in a tough match with Maccabi Petach Tikva at Bloomfield Stadium on Matchday 20. The speedy defender spoke about new coach Peter Bosz’s style, the fight for first place, stormy weather and coming back from injury:

“At least I wasn’t injured for a half a year, but thankfully for just a week and a half.”

Finding a place in the squad upon returning:

“Of  course, I’m not sure that I would’ve lost my place in the squad but I had to work hard and prove myself. There’s been a coaching change and I haven’t had a chance to play for him yet. So that also added to my frustration, that I had to sit onto sidelines.”

Style of the new coach:

“I’ve been training with the club and even when I was injured, I was watching from the side. When such a big coach like this comes to the club you can sit on the side and also learn a tremendous amount. The sessions are fantastic with a very good tempo, we’ve been working hard and I think you’ll continue to see this in the upcoming matches.”

Looking ahead to playing  Maccabi Petach Tikva:

“Maccabi Petach Tikva is one of the strongest and most difficult sides to play against in the league. There’s never an easy match against them. We will continue with the new style of play, but it won’t be easy. We have to take all of the points any way we can.”

Battling for first place:

“What I can tell you is that  Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn’t look at any other team. We look at only ourselves, Maccabi Tel Aviv. We come to work hard every match and do everything we can do for ourselves and do the best we can do and not deal with what any other team is doing.”

Poor weather conditions are expected on Saturday:

“In Acre, the weather was catastrophic and not ideal for football. But it’s part of the game.”

January 2013. Maccabi Tel Aviv under the direction of Head Coach Oscar Garcia were atop the Israel Premier League table. We were in the midst of the transfer window and the hottest name in all of Israeli football was Eran Zahavi. The former Hapoel Tel Aviv player was seeing very few minutes with Palermo and rumors of his transfer were abound.

Meanwhile in Israel the team built by sports director Jordi Cruyff was on the way to their 20th championship, but Cruyff wanted to strengthen the squad looking at the years ahead.

And then on January 21st it occurred. Zahavi passed his medical examinations and entered the Kiryat Shalom locker room for the first time. “I always like to start off on the right foot,” Zahavi said in his first interview to the Official Website right after his contract signing. Just eight days later, number 7 scored his first goal in a 2:0 win over Maccabi Netanya in the State Cup Round of 16.

“I could have stayed in Italy and it would been very comfortable, but I wanted to be playing. I came back for the simple reason that I wanted to play,” Zahavi remarked. “Everything will be up to me, how I mesh with the players and what I will do on the pitch.”

“I came to be part of a team and not to save the franchise. Maccabi Tel Aviv is already in first place and I came to help make sure we stay at the top and be part of the squad. I’ll have to work hard and get back to being the best that I can be. I’m sure I’ll succeed in doing just that,” Zahavi said with confidence.

Today, 3 years later, Zahavi with the captain’s armband has scored 109 goals for the club, won three league titles, one State Cup, advanced to the Europa League Round of 32 and made it to the Champions League Group Stages. “It’s hard for me not to play. It pains me when I’m not playing. That’s why I came to Maccabi Tel Aviv because I believe that I can do it,” commented Zahavi, perhaps not believing himself that he would have so much success with the Yellow-and-Blue.

Maccabi Tel Aviv veteran striker Barak Itzahki is getting ready to welcome back the club’s former Swedish sensation, striker Rada Prica as Maccabi Petach Tikva will be the opponent on Matchday 20 of the WINNER League this coming Saturday evening at Bloomfield Stadium, 20:00. Number 10 talked about the team’s preparations for the game and the Yellow-and-Blue’s style of play under new Head Coach Peter Bosz:

“Rada is just not any player. He was very dominant in the lockerroom as well. He’s very special and we love him very much. It will be strange to see him in the other lockerroom. We are all in contact with him and we wish him the best back here in Israel.”

About Maccabi Petach Tikva:

“They have a very young squad and Maccabi Petach Tikva are a very tough team, not just against Maccabi Tel Aviv but against every other club. It won’t be easy but we are the three time champion and we are coming into this game to win especially because it’s a home match.”

Ups and downs:

“I feel great. Every year there are ups and downs and also now because we switched coaches in the middle of the season there will be some changes and players will be in and out. Those who are good in training will play more than the others, that’s football.”

Differing styles:

“We have our style and our direction as we look to win every match and if we continue down this path we will win the title again. I don’t want to look into the past but what is now, our present. Every coach looks at the players and the squad he has and he has to make decisions. It’s clear we are playing much more attacking football right now and for my style it’s great because that’s the type of player I am.”

Peter Bosz, the Yellow-and-Blue head coach looked ahead to this Saturday evening’s clash with Maccabi Petach Tikva at Bloomfield Stadium, 20:00 on Matchday 20 of the WINNER League. The Dutch boss discussed the differences between the game played in Israel and in Holland as well as how he is preparing his side for the upcoming game against Ran Ben Shimon’s squad:

“I always say that the way we play is most important. I always look at my team and that’s 95% of the match. We will press, play forward and a good position game and I don’t care about the opponent. There is another 5% that I look at the team and we have to be prepared for that. We are ready for Petach Tikva.

Contrasting styles between Israel and Holland:

“In Holland we don’t play like this, but I’m not saying that it’s better. It may be naive the way we play in Holland, there is a lot of offense in Holland with ball possession but here there is plenty of ball possession as well and much more defensive play. Some teams here with less quality will play defensive with five defenders and two holding midfielders it’s up to us to find a way to win.”

The importance of being in first place now:

“After 36 games it will be important to be number one. We will try to win all of the games we play and this game against Petach Tikva is important to win as is every game and or course to be atop of the table.”

Gil Vermouth’s status:

“I know Gili from his time in Holland with De Graafschap. He’s a good player and that’s why he’s at Maccabi Tel Aviv. I’m happy to have him but it will be up to Jordi and he hasn’t come to me about this at all.”