Lazetic Wants to Stay Until Season’s End, Praises Players’ Performance

Match Overview

In a hard-fought victory, Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Haifa 2-1 on Wednesday, snapping a four-match winless streak across all competitions. The victory also reduced the gap to league leaders Hapoel Be’er Sheva to just two points ahead of their upcoming clash on Sunday.

Lazetic Comments on Team’s Resilience

Following the match, Serbian coach Zarko Lazetic expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We played with a lot of energy and character, as we should in every game.” When asked about recent controversies, he declined to comment, emphasizing his focus on football. “I will only talk about football-this is why I am here,” he stated, affirming his desire to remain with the club until the season’s conclusion.

Lazetic faced criticism from fans when his name was announced before the game. Additionally, sections 10 and 11 of the stands were notstartably sparse due to a boycott by the Maccabi Fanatics over new management policies.

Match Highlights

The game remained level until the 0-0 stalemate was broken by Maccabi’s goals from Said Abu Parhi and Dor Peretz. The win was especially significant as it came despite playing with ten men after Idan Shahar received a red card.

Reflecting on the match, Lazetic noted that the first half was challenging due to the pre-game atmosphere. However, he praised his players for rising above these difficulties and executing their game plan, particularly following the red card.

Blitz’s Injury Concerns

Christian Blitz, who had just made his return from injury in the previous match, was substituted 23 minutes into the second half after sustaining another injury. This setback adds to the team’s injury woes as they prepare for a critical upcoming fixture.

Looking Ahead

As Maccabi Tel Aviv gears up for their match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the team will need to build on their recent performance to maintain momentum in the title race. With key players facing injuries and the ongoing unrest among fans, the coming weeks will be crucial for the club’s aspirations.

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