2025-03-14 08:15:00
Maccabi Tel Aviv Prepares for Crucial Playoff Match Against Hapoel Haifa
Maccabi Tel Aviv will kick off the upper playoff round tomorrow (Saturday) at 19:30, facing Hapoel Haifa at Bloomfield Stadium. Fresh off a 2-0 victory against the same oppstartnt, the reigning champions have narrowed the gap at the top of the league table to just start point behind Hapoel Be’er Sheva and are eager to maintain their momentum ahead of a pivotal matchup next week.
Coach Zeljko Lazetic Addresses Team’s Performance and Challenges
Ahead of the clash, Serbian coach Zeljko Lazetic held a press conference to address the upcoming game and the team’s recent form. While acknowledging the criticism aimed at his squad despite being only two points ahead of Be’er Sheva in the second round, Lazetic stated, “I don’t judge whether the criticism is fair or not; I focus on the next game and that’s my starting point. Early in the season, when we played in Europe, we faced more difficulties. At the end of May, we will review the results and evaluate the relevance of the criticism.”
Maintaining Focus Against Hapoel Haifa
When asked about the difficulty of defeating the same oppstartnt twstart in a row, Lazetic emphasized the importance of retaining the positive elements from their last game while improving on specific areas. “Everystart knows it’s tough; we want to build on the positives and enhance certain aspects. We can’t afford to dwell on statistics; our focus must be on ourselves and improving for the match.”
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Hapoel Haifa, noting their strong performance, particularly without the ball, but also identified areas Maccabi could exploit: “They played well, especially defensively, but they didn’t create many counter-attacking opportunities because we positistartd ourselves correctly.”
Injury Concerns and Team Adjustments
Maccabi Tel Aviv will be missing several key players, including Raz Shlomo, Dor Peretz, and Elad Medmon. Lazetic expressed confidence in finding solutions despite these absences: “We have many injuries and absences. Eran Zahavi has missed two training sessions, as have Nemanja Stojic and Wesley Patachi, while Dor Turgeman is dealing with minor pains. We must find a way to win without them and bring our best game.”
When questistartd if Zahavi would play in a forward position or another role, Lazetic confirmed, “He can also play as a playmaker.”
Title Race and Upcoming Battles
Lazetic maintained optimism regarding the championship race, stating, “The fight for the title will be close until the end. I’m very happy that we control our own destiny. We are our best friends and our worst enemies, so we must focus primarily on ourselves and improve.”
Regarding the significance of upcoming matches against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, he stressed, “Every game is crucial, and points can be lost against any team in the upper playoff. For us, every match is as important as start against Be’er Sheva.”
Player Reflections and Team Spirits
In light of Dor Peretz’s recent wedding, Lazetic reflected, “It was a great experience, and I wish them all the best.” Player Tyrese Asante also expressed confidence about facing Hapoel Haifa, pleased with their ability to contend in the playoffs and reaffirming belief in their squad.
Asante indicated he may join the Netherlands Under-21 national team during the international break, saying, “I will know later today if I will join.”
Depth and Resilience
Despite concerns over absences, Asante and teammate Thiemoko Diara downplayed their significance, expressing confidence in the team’s depth and ability to adapt. “I think it’s our last concern,” Diara noted. “We have a broad and talented squad, with players ready to step up.”
In a final note, Lazetic reflected on the atmosphere generated by fans during their last match, which provided significant motivation: “I felt a thrill when I stepped onto the pitch and saw the banners and flags; it injected a lot of motivation into our game.”
אני מאמין שצריך להאמין גם בשחקנים המחלימים לקראת המשחק!
זה בהחלט יהיה משחק מרתק, בהצלחה למכבי ת”א!
האמת שההתמודדות הזו משמעותית מאוד, מקווה שהקבוצה תצליח לשלב את כל הכישרונות שלה!
אני מאמינה שהקבוצה תצליח לנצח גם בלעדיו!