Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Radnicki in the city of Nis, Serbia this evening, Thursday at 22:00 Israel time in the second leg of second round Europa League qualifying at the Cair Stadium. Vladimir Ivic’s side holds a 2:0 advantage thanks to the first leg victory in Israel last week and will look to complete the mission and advance to the third round where Armenian outfit Pyunik is waiting.

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Last Thursday, Radnicki visited the Netanya Stadium as a Vidar Kjratansson brace gave the Yellow & Blue a two goal advantage before heading to Serbia for the return leg. This evening’s contest will be the Club’s 4th official European match and to date Maccabi has recored 3 wins and a draw (5:1 goal differential).

As for the squad, Omer Atzily will be unavailable due to suspension as he received a red card in the last match while Avi Rikan also didn’t travel with the team to Serbia. At yesterday’s prematch press conference Head Coach Vladimir Ivic said: “We have a deep squad and we have players who can replace them. I believe in all of the players that are here and I am sure they will give their best.”

Radnicki will enjoy the support of thousands of fans as the city hasn’t hosted European football since the 1980’s. After the loss in Netanya, the Serbian side played a league match against Red Star Belgrade and fell 2:0.

For Ivic and a number of the professional staff, this is a match being played back in their home land. At the press conference the Head Coach spoke about the atmosphere that will be waiting at Cair Stadium: “This will be the second time that I am in this stadium. I am aware of the good atmosphere here and there will be over 15,000 fans in attendance because it’s not every year that they play European football. I believe that the players will know how to handle the situation and do their best to win the game.”

Maccabi’s Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic also discussed the upcoming clash: “I have to admit that it’s a bit exciting for me to come here with a visiting club, but that’s part of football and I’m preparing for the match. I am a professional and I am obligated to be focussed for the game. I know that the first few minutes will certainly be difficult and the fans will push them forward so we will have play intelligently early on.”

Photos from the Final Training Session in Nis