Veteran central defender Eitan Tibi spoke to the press following Macacbi's 0:3 loss to Maccabi Petach Tikva in the second round of the Toto Cup

 After the fantastic match against Viktoria Plzen, what happened today?

I don't know what to say, we just didn't play well and we can't just give up on any competition. A team like Maccabi Tel Aviv can't play like this. We need to lift our heads up and prepare for the next match.

There seems to be a big difference between the regular starters and the substitutes, why is that?

It wasn't easy for me to sit on the bench for a few matches and I believe in what I do and how I do it. The game against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Plzen were terrific but I have to keep my foot on the gas and continue playing hard. Maccabi players are professionals and we all have to be prepared. We have to continue to believe in ourselves.

Coach Jokanovic was very upset after the match. Did you deserve to lose the game?

He has every right to be upset with all of us and we just didn't come to play this game today and we deserved to lose because we didn't play well. We have to learn from this match and come to every game prepared and put in a full effort. It's hard to explain why these things happen, but better it happens now rather than later. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Slavisa Jokanovic spoke to the media after his club's 0:3 loss to Maccabi Petach Tikva in the second round of the Toto Cup competition

What happened in the match today?

This was our second Toto Cup match and if we play at this level this is what happens. If we play with this attitude and lack of concentration this is what happens. We must show our ability on Saturday night if we don't show up we won't win the Cup on Saturday night.

I didn't use Tal Ben Chaim the winger and Tal Ben Haim the defender along with Gal Alberman. We lost because we deserved to lose and we didn't play good football today.

Was there a mental problem today?

I am a professional and so are my players. We gave them plenty of gifts today and we paid the price for that.

What can you say about the young players today?

The young players train hard and deserved to play today. The youngsters have a great future for Maccabi and for Israeli football in general. Some of the players did their job on the pitch but sometimes you need more than just doing the job.

Are you happy with the two players who came to Maccabi today in Eli Dasa and Shlomi Azulay?

They are important and in the future there will be more players. They will be here for next season and that is good as well. But today we have to look at football games like war. We didn't have many weapons today and our artillery was empty.

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv completed the signing of Eli Dasa and Shlomi Azulay from Beitar Jerusalem as the two players will join Avi Rikan and Tal Ben Haim as the new recruits so far for the 2015/16 season

The pair will now be plying their trade on the Bloomfield pitch in Yellow-and-Blue and are both preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.

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Shlomi Azulay commented on playing with Maccabi and the upcoming Champions League playoff ties: "This will be a lot of fun and it's an honor that Maccabi Tel Aviv wanted us to join the club. Now we will have to show our worth on the pitch. I'm excited that I may get playing time in the Champions League playoff against Basel and I've waited for this opportunity for a long time. As I join a new team I'll get to know my new teammates and understand what will be needed from me going forward."

New defensive back Eli Dasa also spoke about the expectations and coming back to the club he began with: "Of course there will be expectations, but this is what every footballer dreams of, having an opportunity to play in these types of competitions. It's great that the club wanted both of us as they continue to compete for titles. I started off in the Maccabi youth system and now I'm coming full circle. It'll be really exciting to see the fans at Bloomfield Stadium."

Azulay also discussed his coming of age and what Maccabi can expect from him: "Last year was a breakout season for me and I was able to show my talents on the field of play. My main goal now is to succeed here with Maccabi as this is the largest and most professional club in the country. I want to do the best I can and I'll compete very hard."

Dasa also spoke about the opportunity to play with the Yellow-and-Blue: "Playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv can't be compared to any other team in Israel. I'm looking forward to working very hard."

The new pair of players also had a message for all of the Maccabi supporters: "Maccabi won the last three league titles and we know that the goal right now is to make it to the Champions League and succeed in European competition. Hopefully we will do it!"

  

 

 

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Eli Dasa and Shlomi Azulai signed this afternoon a contract on a four-year-deal at Maccabi Tel Aviv after successfully undergoing a medical and completing their move from Beitar Jerusalem.

Maccabi Tel Aviv returns to domestic action tonight as they face Maccabi Petach Tikva in the second round of the Toto Cup competition

After two victories last week, in Plzen advancing to the Champions League playoffs and the Derby win 3:1 away against Hapoel Tel Aviv, the Yellow-and-Blue will want to continue with their fine play this evening at Bloomfield Stadium. Omri Ben Harush, the club's left back spoke to the official website right before the match this evening.

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Ben Harush began discussing the victory against Viktoria Plzen and the the drawing of Basel for the UEFA Champions League playoff round: "We're very happy about the win in the Czech Republic and continuing to play in Europe. I also couldn't believe we drew Basel yet again, but it's a chance for redemption and it will give us extra motivation for this third series with the Swiss club."

The defensive back also commented on tonight's match with Maccabi Petach Tikva: "It's very important to continue winning as it will keep up our confidence. It's always important to win and it will also be great for the atmosphere within the lockerroom. The coach always gets us prepared properly for any match and we're playing to win."

The rotation of the players within the squad was also touched on by Ben Harush: "We have been playing in a number of different competitions over the past few years so it keeps us on our toes. We have a big squad and there are players that certainly deserve to play and this will be their chance. Of course any player that played last game wants to keep his spot in the starting XI, so anytime someone gets a chance they will want to prove themselves worthy. We come to win every  match, and we're counting on the supporters to help us and cheer us on."

 

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This morning Maccabi Tel Aviv had their final practice prior to their Toto Cup match against Maccabi Petach Tikva on Monday evening, 20:50 at Bloomfield Stadium. Head Coach Slavisa Jovanovic discussed his opponent’s style of play: "Petach Tikva have used two different formations in as many matches and I’m not sure what style they will use tomorrow. However, we will be ready for anything. Of course when we play at home, we always come to win."  

After the UEFA Champions League third round qualifying victory against Viktoria Plzen and advancing to the Champions League playoffs where they will face Basel, Maccabi Tel Aviv is preparing for their upcoming Toto Cup match against Maccabi Petach Tikva on Monday night at Bloomfield Stadium, 20:50. Head Coach Slavisa Jovanovic along with defender Yuval Shpungin spoke to the press to give their impressions about advancing in Europe as well as tomorrow night’s game.

Head Coach Slavisa Jovanovic:

How are your preparations for the Toto Cup match?

I am looking forward to this game and right now this is most important match for us. Last year they defeated Maccabi in the final match of the season and they play a 4-4-2.  We will have to be organized properly and begin the game as best as we can. We will always be prepared and we have a responsibility to do so.

What type of changes will you make it the squad for the match?

Dor Peretz and Sean Goldberg will play tomorrow and are working very hard in training and can be the future of Maccabi Tel Aviv. They did a great job in the Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv and they will have another opportunity.

All of the players on the squad are part of Maccabi Tel Aviv and all of the players will have a chance to play tomorrow against Petach Tikva.

Do you see the match against Petach Tikva as an opportunity to begin preparations for Basel and where would you like to play the home match?

I don’t see this as an opportunity to get prepared for Basel. But right now this match tomorrow is our focus. I would rather play at my home which is Bloomfield. Sammy Ofer may be bigger but it’s not our home.

What is the latest with bringing in new players prior to the match against Basel?

The club is working very hard to bring in new players before the Basel game but right now our newest player Avi Rikan is doing a great job.

Defender Yuval Shpungin spoke about how he feels about playing Basel, his teammates and his recent form:

This is not the first time that Maccabi has played Basel. We believe and that we will get ready as professionally as possible. We have a great lockerroom and we have some players that may be more active than others but we are all one team.

I am in great shape and I want to continue to get better and that I will keep doing what the coach asks me to. We are all looking forward to the next match against Maccabi Petach Tikva.

After defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv in the derby in the first round of the Toto Cup, Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Maccabi Petach Tikva on Monday August 8th in the second round of the competition.

Ticket sales begin today at 16:00 at the Official Team Stores, 147 Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, Cinema City Rishon Le'Zion, at the Kiryat Shalom training facility as well as the Leaan Ticket Office 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv.

Ticket prices at the Team Stores and the Leaan Ticket Office

Gates 2/13 65₪

Gates 7/8 55₪

Tickets prices on the Leaan website and by telephone *8780

Gates 2/13 70₪

Gates 7/8 60₪

 

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