Head coach Oscar Garcia talked about his future with the club with Maccabi Tel Aviv's match against Ironi Kiryat Shmona just two days away: "We're fielding the best possible side we can"
Just prior to the long awaited official Championship celebrations on Saturday night at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, Maccabi Tel Aviv will be playing a home tie against outgoing champions Ironi Kiryat Shmona at Bloomfield Stadium (5 P.M.): "So far I'm concerned the players have to be as focused for this match as for any other league game, respect the rival team," said Maccabi head coach Oscar Garcia at this morning's press conference. "In football you have to give it everything you have because if you don't you're risking injuries or other problems". He was also asked if intended to field a team similar to the one he fielded against Maccabi Haifa earlier in the week, giving some of the less frequent starters a chance to get time on the pitch. "Then I fielded the strongest side I thought I needed to win the match and I'll do it again on Saturday against Ironi Kiryat Shmona, even if it's not exactly the same one".
Garcia also answered questions about rumours concerning possible coaching offers he's had at other clubs for next season: "This is the time of the year for such offers, there's nothing unusual about that. But like I said last week, I want to stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv for their European competition. It's true I've had offers from other clubs but I've told them the same thing, that I plan to stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv next season. We haven't the time to wait for anyone, we have to start now preparing for next season. And that includes me".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxVN-52dmRE
And regarding those preparations, he was asked about the players he expects to stay or leave the club before the start of the new season: "A coach has to have an overview of the players at his disposal, and the tactics he feels are best for each individual player, and only then after a few weeks we'll decide how to deal with next season. I think any club anywhere in the world has to think about changing and improving the team for the following season, and that's what we want to do too, to build a team that will get stronger year after year. I have no idea how many players will stay or leave, when I do we'll find the solutions to the challenges facing us next season".
After having attended the first press conference of the season, midfielder Maharan Radi returned to the studio to close off the cycle: "Last season when Kiryat Shmona won the title they came to play us at Sakhnin and we beat them 5-0. That taught me an important lesson because now I know what it means to go into a match feeling over-confident. All footballer players respect the game, the supporters and their rivals. I can tell you that every player that played against Haifa gave it their all but because of a loss in concentration we lost the match. There's no connexion between the celebrations at the end of the match and the match itself. Every player has to prove himself, whether he's on the national side or trying to get a place on the club squad for next season. I can only ask the fans to put the celebrations aside for a moment and come to Saturday's game to support us to win the match in style and add to the pride they already feel for us as champions. That's the only way to do it".
