Tal Ben Chaim and Barak Levy spoke to the official Maccabi website. Levy: "Tibi and Garcia are the best centre halves I've ever worked with"
After his brace sealed the 3-0 victory last night over Maccabi Petach Tikva, Tal Ben Chaim spoke to the official Maccabi website: "That's the best way to start the second round, beating an above-average team in the league. It was an important game for us to win and I'm glad we did it". As for his stellar opening to the second half, two goals in the space of nine minutes, the winger said: "Pako didn't say anything special at the break, he was happy with what he saw in the first half and I'm glad we finished off the game quickly. With all the bans we've had it doesn't make any difference to me anymore if it's a home tie or an away tie. Every game with Maccabi feels like a home game to me, even though Bloomfield is really home. Thanks to all the fans who travelled to support us".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HnnNiYmhbY
Barak Levy had this to say after the match: "There's no better feeling than to win, that's what I'm doing all that work for week in week out. And even if there wasn't a lot for the defence to do tonight I think we got it spot on. Of course I always prefer to have it quiet at the back, but if there's trouble it's down to me to save the situation. The co-ordination in the back four gets better with every practice, we feel very confident together. We've been playing with (Eytan) Tibi and (Carlos) Garcia three years already and to my mind they're the best centre halves I've ever played with".
The young goalkeeper also gave his take on the first round of league matches: "I think we had a very good run, we just have to carry on playing the way we did tonight and the sky's the limit". And the fans? "The best in the whole country, nothing like it anywhere. Soon we'll be back at Bloomfield, there the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic".
After the match the squad said farewell to team physiotherapist Amit Tzelah, who is leaving for Switzerland. Levy: "We wish him the best of success. He's become a real part of the team and we've all become very fond of him".
