Twelve days after the penalty shoot-out victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv in the State Cup, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for a meeting with their arch city rivals in the league. On the back of the 4-1 defeat away to Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways and extend their 12 year unbeaten run in derbies.
Maccabi’s Head Coach whose squad is still plagued with injuries, welcomed back from suspension Roy Revivo. The left back who served his one match touchline ban at Haifa following his dismissal in the Cup, joined Raz Shlomo, Ali Camara and Heitor dos Santos who was named at right back. Issouf Sissokho, was joined by Itamar Noy in the engine room with Dor Peretz leading the team out with the captain’s armband. Helio Varela who scored Maccabi’s goal against Hapoel in the Cup and Sagiv Jehezkel whose goal at Sammy Ofer last week was only a consolation, were both named by Lazetic on the wings. Saied Abu Farchi led the line aiming to add to his tally of 2 league goals and five in all competitions this season.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named Kervin Andrade, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman, Ido Shahar, Itay Ben Hemo and Osher Davida.
First Half:
A pyrotechnics display from both sets of fans immediately after kickoff covered Bloomfield stadium with a thick layer of smoke which caused an 8 minute delay. With the smoke eventually cleared off referee David Fuxman resumed play a fact which was welcomed by a stadium which was packed to the brim.
Andrian Kraev was the first player to be booked by referee David Fuxman for a reckless challenge on Saied Abu Farchi in the 14th minute. Four minutes later Ali Camara went down clutching his calf as the tall Guinean defender was replaced by Itay Ben Hemo.
Just before the half hour mark Sagiv Jehezkel flicked Itamar Noy’s corner towards goal but Assaf Tzur managed to claw the ball which was making its way under the crossbar.
Two minutes later the deadlock was broken as Roy Revivo won possession down the left and burst forward before releasing Helio Varela. The Cape Verde international charged down the wing and cut back for Dor Peretz who swept the balk past Tzur for his 11th goal in all competitions this season.
The stop start first half saw the fourth official raise the sign with 13 minutes of additional time.
A well drilled free kick saw Jehezkel cross for Abu Farchi who flashed his header over the crossbar. Two minutes later both players swapped roles this time Abu Farchi playing in Jehezkel who wasted the chance blasting his shot over.
Second Half:
The second half saw Hapoel enjoy a lot of the possession but in the 68th minute Maccabi almost doubled their lead. Heitor dos Santos released Jehezkel who was just inside Maccabi’s half for a counter attack down the right. Jehezkel floated a cross towards Abu Farchi who glided in the air but directed his header wide of the post. Lazetic reacted with a double substitution as Jehezkel and Itamar Noy bowed out and were replaced by Ido Shahar and Kervin Andrade.
Shahar could have made an immediate impact as four minutes after his Introduction the 24-year-old picked up a Revivo cross and drilled a powerful shot which was blocked for a corner.
Lazetic made his final two changes on 88 as Abu Farchi and Varela bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Noam Ben Harush and Yonas Malede.
Maccabi defended their lead until the 91st minute before Omri Altman rose high to head in the equaliser into the top corner. Hapoel pressed forward and a free kick which was sent into the box saw Chico Alves bundle the ball from a goalmouth scramble. The linesman raised his flag for offside but VAR intervened and approved the goal to complete the comeback.
