Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach looks at the positive aspects after the 1:1 draw in Be’er Sheva and already thinks of the match against Kiryat Shmona
Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday night, in a game that will determine who will be the league champions. Following the 1-1 draw at Vasermil, Pako admitted that his team have a lot of work to do ahead of Sunday night.The Coach talked about how the game developed: “The final score could have been different if Ben Haim’s attempt wasn’t saved off the line. Be’er Sheva had more chances, but we dictated the pace of the game”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7B3lHJVxwQ
Pako talked about his game plan: “In the fist half the plan was to stop Be’er Sheva from creating chances and we did it. Be’er Sheva caused us problems in the second half but they were from set-plays, not from an open play”.
Maccabi Tel Aviv had a very long season, fighting for the league title; the State Cup final is just around the corner (Wednesday 20/5, against Hapoel Be'er Sheva) and have already won the Toto Cup earlier this season.
Pako answered the claims that the players are tired: “They could be, I think that they are going to finish the season playing and training for 51 to 52 weeks out of 54 weeks in a year. Tiredness could be one of the reasons for our lack of performances, but it's not an excuse”.
At the end, Coach Pako mentioned Sunday's game: “I hope we will win the title, but to do so we have to win. I feel I have the responsibility to win the title, I don’t see it as pressure. It doesn’t bother me that we play on Sunday while Be’er Sheva plays on Saturday. It is not ideal but it is not an excuse”.
