Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach looked back at his Club’s 2:0 victory over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday One of the Toto Cup while looking ahead to Thursday night’s second leg of Europa League Third Round Qualifying against Panionios in Athens, Greece. Cruyff spoke about Dor Micha’s return, different systems and about the match itself:
Jordi Cruyff Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach https://t.co/pgnJ7nXVTn
— Maccabi Tel-Aviv (@MaccabiTLVFC) July 30, 2017
“I can be satisfied with their performance as they haven’t played in a long time and they haven’t played together. But they responded well and it’s a game where we wanted to finish without any injuries, gain minutes and pickup a clean sheet.”
Positives from the match:
“We were disciplined and we worked like a team to the end of the game.”
Playing different systems:
“I think Maccabi must be prepared to change in every way in every game. They have to be able to change up the system and be ready for any circumstance.”
The Toto Cup competition:
“When you win you celebrate any competition. I think it’s a good one to have as it’s preparation for the league. I just wish that we had some more time between games.”
Starting XI:
“I don’t have a first XI. I have a group of players and I want to get the maximum from each player.”
Playing Dor Micha and Cristian Battocchio together:
“The combination of the types of players like Micha and Battocchio could have a good type of association together as they both don’t have a fixed position. As long as they don’t go into the same place they should be fine.”
About the Panionios match on Thursday:
“They have some good players and they are a good team. They created one good clear chance and will press more and play much more physical. We will have to battle.”
Surprised about Panionios:
“I wasn’t surprised as the Greek league is a good league. We must always respect or opponent and be well prepared. I see our chances as 50/50.”
