The Maccabi midfielder spoke ahead of the Europa League MD1 away to Sporting Braga (Thursday, 22:00) about the pride of representing Israel abroad.

The 29-year-old midfielder who enjoyed a good start to the season scoring 3 goals in the qualifiers spoke ahead of the start to the Group League phase. “We expect a tough match against a strong opponent” Peretz said at the start of the press conference at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. “They have quality players and are playing very well as a team. I think that if we remain focused, bring the level of intensity and aggressiveness required at this level, use the principals our coach introduced us to – we stand a chance of showing our quality at this tough match. This will be our task tomorrow.”

When asked about the tough situation Maccabi coping with, having to play away from home while the war is being fought in Israel for 355 days, Peretz said: “Playing abroad is something which we are experienced in for almost a year. We are doing this while our country is in s state of war and soldiers are dying protecting our country. Our friends are doing everything to try save the country and control the situation. We are here focusing on football and must look at the fact that we are representing Israel. As an Israeli team we are showing the country’s strength by playing football abroad. We must do our best for our country, even if it is only in football, but we still must do our best. We always think about what goes on back home and try bringing with us the passion of our fans who can’t be here with us and are disappointed we are not hosting matches at home. We are doing all this for their sake and for the sake of our country”.

The 2024/25 season will be the 16^th campaign where the Europa League is staged with Maccabi participating 10 times including the qualifying campaign.

Maccabi’s best achievement in the Europa League was qualification to the Round of 32 in two occasions. In 2014 Maccabi’s run was ended by FC Basel of Switzerland and in 2021 when they were knocked out by Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. On both campaigns Maccabi finished second in their respective group of four teams and collected 11 of a possible 18.

This will be the sixth season Maccabi advanced past the qualifying phase, more than any Israeli club. Maccabi played in the Europa League group phase in the 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2020/21 seasons.

The 2024/25 campaign will see the group stage replaced with an inaugural League phase of 8 matches.

Maccabi’s record in 30 Europa League matches currently stands on 9 victories, 8 draws and 13 defeats.

Before this season in the Group stages Maccabi faced 14 clubs from 13 countries. Spanish side Villareal are the only side to face Maccabi in the Europa League group stages on 2 different seasons: 2017/18 and 2020/21.

Turkey is the only country Maccabi played against two different clubs: Besiktas 2011/12 and Sivasspor 2020/21.

Maccabi’s highest Europa League victory was a 4-2 win over Bundesliga side Frankfurt in 2013/14 with Eran Zahavi and Barak Itzhaki scoring 2 goals each.

Seventy-two different players represented Maccabi in the Europa League over the years with Sheran Yeini leading the list with 22 appearances.

Twenty-one players scored 29 goals for Maccabi in the group stages. Three players scored 3 goals each: Eran Zahavi, Barak Itzhaki and Dor Micha.

          

 

Maccabi begins a new chapter on Thursday (22:00) as they kick-off the inaugural Europa League phase with a tough trip to Sporting Braga. The team held their final practice session at the Kiryat Shalom training complex before heading for Ben Gurion airport and jetting out on a 6-hour-long flight to Porto. The 30,286 capacity Estádio Municipal in Braga will host Maccabi’s MD1 Europa League match against the side which is currently 7th and finished last season 4th in the Portugeuse table.

Gabi Kanichowsy captained the side as Maccabi recorded a 2-0 victory away to Ashdod. “It is always fun to win, especially at a tough match against such a good side” Kanichowsky said after the match. “We played well after two matches of not showing the best of form as we played like we want to”.

It was a special occasion for Kanichowsky who captained the side, as he said: “I was surprised when handed the captain’s armband, but either way I have a lot of responsibility at Maccabi and I am delighted to be a key figure. My duty is to repay this club and the coach on the pitch. Regardless of the armband, I am not someone to force myself, but I try to help as much as I can. I just hope that I succeed in what I am doing, and that people accept my advice, yet it still surprises me everytime.”

On the push Maccabi received from the 3700 travelling fans at Ashdod, the midfielder added: “At the start of the season when you play in Europe and fans are not there to support us – it is tough. One gets excited every time there are fans that push you. It is very important for us and I am delighted we completed the job today.”

Ahead of Thursday’s EUROPA League match away to Sporting Braga, Kanichowsky said: “It is exciting. I think we have plenty to give and prove. We are not arriving there just to supply a backdrop and be part of the scenery. We will not just come there to be run over and say: ‘wow we qualified to Europe’. When we talk amongst ourselves, we are under the impression that we received draws at our levels. But once again, I have yet to compete in the Europa League and looking forward to an amazing experience”

      

Dor Turgeman who scored his second league goal this season sent a get well soon wish to fellow teammate Ido Shahar who suffered a knee injury: “First I would like to wish Ido Shahar a full and speedy recovery” before turning to sum up the match, “I am delighted I manage to help the team win at a tough fixture.”

The 20-year-old who scored his fifth goal in all competitions, spoke about his relationship with coach Zarko Lazetic as he added: “I have a good connection with the coach who trusts me and I just repay him on the pitch. We were well prepared as we spoke ahead of the game that it will be a tough match against a side that is known for playing hard. We took the three points today and kept a record of 4 wins from 4 matches which is very important”.

On the prospect of starting the EUROPA League phase against Sporting Braga on Thursday, Turgeman concluded: “Obviously every player dreams of playing at these levels. We are excited but on the pitch we will do our job, look everyone in the eye and try to do our best”.

Preview:

Maccabi arrived at the Yud Alef stadium for the MD4 WINNER League match against local side Ashdod SC aiming to maintain their 100% record. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, made four changes from the side that beat Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1 at Bloomfield on Wednesday.

Nemanja Stojic made his first Maccabi start replacing Raz Shlomo at the heart of defense alongside Tyrese Asante. Roy Revivo who scored and added an assist against Jerusalem was named at left back with Idan Nachmias completing Maccabi’s defensive line in front of Roi Mishpati.

Issouf Sisskho in the anchorman role, sat behind Gabi Kanichwsky who led the team out with the captain’s armband and Ido Shahar who completed the midfield trio.

Osher Davida who scored the winner on Wednesday and Hisham Layous supplied the width on both wings to Maccabi’s formation with Dor Turgeman spearheading the attack.

On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Ofek Melika alongside Eran Zahavi, Joris van Overeem, Yoas Malede, Wesley Patati, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Dor Peretz and Nor Bitton.

First Half

Maccabi were welcomed by a large number of travelling fans that dominated the stands producing an atmosphere that resembled a home match. It took Maccabi seven minutes to create the first chance on goal as Dor Turgeman flicked an Osher Davida free kick into the path of Nemanja Stojic’s whose close range header sailed over. Three minutes later Maccabi’s defense was almost caught by an Ashdod counter attack which resulted with Mohammed Kna’an drilling a shot wide. Gradually Maccabi began dominating as Turgeman was sent into the box but was blocked by a defender before he could pull the trigger. In the 23rd minute Roi Mishpati spread himself to block Roy Levy’s volley after the Ashdod winger managed to ghost into Maccabi’s area.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute as Maccabi’s pinged Ashdod inside their own area before Turgeman pounced on the loose ball before burying it in the bottom far corner. Three minutes later Ido Shahar came close to double the lead as he was sent clear through before Ariel Harush charged off his goalline to block. Shahar landed awkwardly on his knee in the process, limped off and was replaced by Dor Peretz. In the 36th minute Maccabi got their well deserved goal as Stojic met Davida’s cross to double the lead with a close range header.

Peretz could have made it three in the 40th minute as he was sent into the area but from a tight angle slid the ball to the wrong side of the post.

Second Half

Ashdod’s coach Eli Levy made a double substitution after the break as Shahar Hasson replaced Harush in goal while Ebenezer Mamatah came on for Stav Nachmani upfront. Four minutes after the restart a pyrotechnics from the visiting section caused a delay of a few minute until the smoke cleared the pitch and visibility restored.

In the 70th minute, Lazetic reacted with a double substitution of his own as Joris van Overeem and Wesley Patati replaced Gabi Kanichoesky and Davida. Five minutes later Turgemam slipped the ball to Hisham Layous who found himself with only Hason to beat but Ashdod’s keeper managed to block and deny Maccabi from scoring a third.

Lazetic made another double change as Elad Madmon and Eran Zahavi replaced Layous and Turgeman in the 80th minute adding two fresh forwards for the closing stages. Peretz snapped a shot which flashed across the face of goal after Patati managed to find an opening in Ashdod’s defence on 83.

In the 90th minute Patati tried catching Hason off guard with a free kick from a tight angle, but Ashdod’s keeper managed to punch the ball out. In the 90th minute Patati tried catching Hason off guard with a free kick from a tight angle, but Ashdod’s keeper managed to punch the ball out.

The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 100% record remains in tact with attention now turned for the Europa League as the team will travel to Portugal ahead of Thursday’s match against Sporting Braga.