Maccabi Tel Aviv returned for the International break directly to Bloomfield for a Championship playoff match win over Raanana who have proven to be a very difficult club to play against. The Yellow-and-Blue picked up the win on goals by Eran Zahavi, Tal Ben Chaim and Haris Medunjanin who spoke after the game:

“I played in front more in the second half so it was easier to get into the position to score. Most of the time I play in front of the defense and I have keep things organized with Gal Alberman. But when Dor Peretz came in I had more freedom to go up front and to create chances.”

Changing tactics:

“If you saw the first half we had so many problems and Rajikovic saved us so many times. That’s not how we normally play and we were in a difficult position. We need to learn from this and we need to compliment our coach who changed tactics in the second half to three in the back and it was much easier for us to play against them like this and to beat them.”

Opportunities over the course of the match:

“Every game is difficult for us as every team comes here to take points and we have to be focused for 90 minutes. Rajiko saved us today and if they would have scored we may have been in a deficit position. We played a good game in the second half and we had many chances to score more goals.”

The International break:

“I was in Bosnia to see my family and they said that I came home very happy. There were a lot of times I would come home angry because I hadn’t played and I didn’t feel that I could’ve done as much as possible. It was good for me to see my family and it was very important. Everyone said I need to shoot more. Today I had one chance and I was able to score. But most importantly is that we win and take the championship.”

Bidding adieu to Johan Cruyff:

“Johan Cruyff was a legend and it was a difficult week for everyone. When I saw him in Israel, I was in shock, since I grew up in Holland and I had only heard the name Cruyff. I hope that Jordi and his family know no more sorrow.”

The fans reaction to his second stint with the club:

“There were definitely times that were not that good. I am trying to do the best I can and I want to win the championship with Maccabi this time around. I will do everything I can to accomplish this and to make the fans happy.”