Dor Peretz has been enjoying a fine start to the 2024/25 campaign as the midfielder scored three goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season. Against Maccabi Petah Tikva for what was Maccabi’s league curtain raiser, Peretz added two assists to take his tally to four on the way to a 3-0 convincing and clinical display.

“The first half was excellent. We were energetic, created loads of chances, too the lead and from there onwards it was easier” Peretz whose assists to Gabi Kanichowsky in the 31st minute followed by another to Hisham Layous on 42 gave Maccabi a 2-0 lead at halftime. “We had a dip in form in the second half, but the first half showed the Maccabi we would all like to see. This is the beginning of the journey, there is plenty of room for improvement, so we are facing forward.”

After helping Maccabi reach the Europa League phase which this season will include eight matches. With Maccabi hosting its’ home matches abroad due to the situation in Israel, Peretz, acknowledged the demanding schedule ahead: “It will be challenging as there will be plenty of flights, we will be forced to recover quickly and prepare for matches in the best possible way. The league is our bread and butter, so we will have to prepare ourselves for every match in the league and in Europe.“

On the Europa League draw that will see Maccabi face the likes of Porto, Ajax, Besiktas, Real Sociedad, Sporting Braga, Bodo/Glimt, Midtjylland and RFS, Peretz added: “It is an amazing experience to be on this stage and play against such clubs. From here onwards it is in our hands to do our best we can. In one given game anything can happen. But let us take one thing at a time. Now we have the international break before us so we will have time to prepare ourselves for that.