The Maccabi Tel Aviv squad have held their final preparations ahead of tomorrow's away encounter with Europa League group F leaders Eintracht Frankfurt. MTA striker Rade Prica: "We can win it"
Maccabi Tel Aviv have completed their final practice at Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena in the run up to tomorrow's group F Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt. For the club this is their third match in the group and their fifth against German clubs, resulting so far in three losses and a draw. Maccabi's last encounter with a German side was a 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the group stages of the Champions League in 2004/05. Any result for Maccabi other than a loss will make history, as all the previous seven encounters of Israeli teams on German soil have resulted in defeats to the local clubs.
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As part of the preparations for tomorrow's match, MTA head coach Paulo Sousa and Swedish striker Rade Prica held an official press conference last night. Sousa began: "We're trying to be as competitive as possible, I'm an ambitious manager with dreams of my own but I'm also a realist. We've arrived and seen what's here, a huge stadium, a significantly huge budget and significant differences between us and (Eintracht) Frankfurt, all of which makes them the favourites. On paper, Bourdeaux were also favourites but it's our goal to be competitive, to play courageously against a strong club here in Germany in such a way as to represent Israeli football proudly".
The coach added: "A good result of course will be a victory, no coach or player ever wants to play to lose. (Eintracht) Frankfurt are used to playing in a better league, where they have to be strong and competitive, but that won't stop us from putting on a brave display. Football is also a matter of emotions and feelings and that's what our fans want to see. But we're realistic, whether we win or not we'll give it everything we have".
Sousa, whose impressive playing career in Germany ended in a European Cup with Borussia Dortmund, said: "It's a great privilege to come back and see Dotmund's successes in recent years. Like yesterday in the Champions League. I really enjoyed my time in Germany, but since 2000 football in Germany has really developed and changed. These last few years the Bundesliga has become the most competitive of all and for me personally it's a great honour to be playing a German club".
Sousa was also asked about his work at Maccabi and whether he dreams of coaching at big clubs like Dortmund or Juventus: "I may have aspirations to coach teams that have a chance of winning the Champions League, but I'm not complaining. I've been in the game since I was fifteen, and not only have I enjoyed it but I've also gained a lot of experience and knowledge I impart on my players, but for me there are no big clubs and small clubs – there are projects. It all depends on what the future has in store for us. I'm happy at Maccabi and sure of my decision. We're playing in Europe and this is the second time I've made it to the group stage. – last year with Videoton and this year with Maccabi. I'm very keen on succeeding but a coach is always dependent on his players".
The coach is also aware that a large group of Maccabi supporters are expected at the match tomorrow. "That's something we know and it's something that adds to the players' enthusiasm. We'll try to repay them for the financial investment because we know that many of them have saved a great deal to be here with us. Perhaps we'll succeed in sending them back home tomorrow with memories of a good display. For ten years Maccabi didn't win the league title until last season and with the owner's investment we want to compete in Europe and give him some return on his next investment that will raise the value of Israeli stock in the world footballing market. A stadium like this, that brings in money and makes the club richer, better training pitches, new offices and all the things the owner wants to give the club – these are just some of the things we have to do to move the club forward".
MTA's Swedish striker Rade Prica, who spent four years in the Bundesliga playing for F.C. Hansa Rostock, has already played twice against Eintracht Frankfurt, winning once and drawing once with three assists. "It's good to be back", said the striker, "a country where I played for four years with a great atmosphere and incomparably spectacular stadiums. I always advise young players to come and play here. We're a club with an attacking style, but we're very strong in defence too and we've shown that in the league. We're looking at a tough match tomorrow, an open match and a good one too, but I think we can win it. It's always difficult playing German clubs but that doesn't mean we can't win and score a lot of goals".
