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Tal Ben Chaim spoke to the media prior to departing for the second round qualifying match of the  UEFA Champions League in Malta against Hibernians FC

 "I had a number of offers from outside of Israel, but I chose what I felt most comfortable with. I enjoy being with Maccabi and of course the players, and I would like to stay here for the long term. It was important to me to end all of the speculation and let everyone know that I am here to stay."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWUKHMRX_Jg

Ben Chaim also discussed the Austrian training camp: "We had a good training camp and we got back into shape after a short break. The three preseason matches we had brought us back to full strength and we are ready to go. Before the last match against Anzhi, we has a practice earlier in the day so that will always have an effect on the game itself because we were still getting back to full fitness. Training camp and preseason matches are not like getting ready for a regular match." 

Looking ahead to the matches against Hibernians and Maccabi's European chances, Ben Chaim commented: "I think that last year we had a good club and that we have enough players right now to go into the next round after the two games against Hibernians. We all want to head into the group stages of the Champions League, we know the supporters want this as well, but we will have to defeat very tough teams along the way. No one has to be worried about bringing in new players as the club is doing everything to get us to where we need to be."

Ben Chaim also commented on the team's chances in Ligat Ha'Al this coming year: "Over the last few years we have been the best team in the country and you don't have to worry about us. Technical Director Jordi Cruyff is doing everything to make sure that we are in the best situation as possible. Hapoel Beer Sheva, Kiryat Shemona and Maccabi Haifa are all strong teams and we won't have an easy time this year to win the league."