For the second time this season Maccabi wore a mixed-colour kit. Against Maccabi Netanya it triumphed. Against Ironi Kiryat Shmona we weren't so lucky
Bad Habits
Just when we thought we'd shaken off the last jinx – nine years not winning at Haifa's Kiryat Eliezer Stadium – another one seems to be looming on the horizon. Since the 2007/08 season, Maccabi Tel Aviv have lost five times at the Kiryat Shmona stadium.
More bad habits?
Ever wondered when was the last time before Monday night that Maccabi made two substitutions at the start of the second half? Well, here's the answer: Nov. 27th 2011, losing 1-3 at home to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby. Another jinx?
All good things must come to an end
Young international goalkeeper Barak Levy, who deputised in goal on Monday night, has had a good run guarding Maccabi's net. The last time the team lost a match in which he got the nod was away against Ashdod FC in January 2013.
"Almost" sometimes counts
Midfielder Eran Zahavi hit the woodwork twice on Monday night, Maccabi's first two shots off the frame in the 2014/15 season.
Scoring always counts
On the other hand, Ironi Kiryat Shmona is the club Eran Zahavi has scored most against in the league, nine goals in all, eight of them in Maccabi kit.
Choosing sides
Striker Eden Ben Basat now becomes the eleventh player in history who has played for both sides in matches between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
Mix and Match
Mixing kit colours seems to particularly suit Maccabi Tel Aviv for matches against Maccabi Netanya. For the first time in eleven years, a blue shirt and a yellow short accompanied the team's 3-1 victory in matchweek 8 against Maccabi Netanya. On Monday against Ironi Kiryat Shmona the colour scheme was reversed – yellow shirt, blue short. The last time the team wore that kit was in May 2010, and guess who Maccabi beat 4-1? That's right, Maccabi Netanya.
Unlucky seven
If you include the abandoned Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Monday night is the seventh consecutive match in which Maccabi have conceded. The last time the team had such a run of concessions was in the 2010/11 season. If you don't include the uncompleted match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, the opportunity to stretch the run to seven rests with Hapoel Haifa on Saturday. In the meantime, Hapoel Haifa – together with their municipal rivals Maccabi Haifa – are the team who have scored the least number of goals in the Israeli Premier League this season.
All roads lead to Haifa, or Netanya?
On Saturday night, Hapoel Haifa head coach Reuven Atar will be facing Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first time since the opening match of the 2012/13 season. Then he was head coach of his current team's municipal rivals Maccabi Haifa. Perhaps he will draw inspiration from the fact that last time he beat Maccabi Tel Aviv the match was also played in Netanya, at the now retired "Kufsa" Stadium.
