Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Bnei Yehuda tomorrow evening on Matchday 11 of the Ligat Ha’Al at Haberfeld Stadium in Rishon Le’Zion as they will look to build on last Matchday’s win. The Head Coach Shota Arveladze discussed the upcoming contest which comes just three days after a Europa League match in Russia:
“It’s good for us that we are already playing tomorrow. Every match is like a training session just with more emotion. There are some things that I’m very encouraged by and there are others things that are disappointing me in our game. I’ve talked to the players about this, what I’m proud of and what I’m not. I’m always thinking about how I can change things. The players understand what I’m saying and everything will begin to improve.”
About Jordi Cruyff’s comments:
“I’m not going to refer to who smiles or who doesn’t as well as to who closes their eyes. I always tell my players the truth and I will always tell a player if I’m not happy about their behavior. But everything is under control on this issue. In reference to results, some are letting me down in terms of their desire or concentration when we give up a goal in the final seconds of each of the halves. The players know that they can be tougher. Our weakness is that we are being soft in these critical moments and I believe this is what Jordi was referring to.”
His part in the club’s current situation:
“My part is to be here to give the team an identity and a philosophy to help us win. We aren’t far from it. We want to win every competition that we are in both in the country and in Europe. In your eyes we may not be that strong but I don’t agree. Every team in Holland has more experience than us. We have stood up to very big clubs and we can still advance to the next stage. Even though we don’t control our own destiny we will use all of our tools. Our goal was to be in the group stage and of course we had hoped that our results would have been better. It doesn’t matter how hard it is and against every opponent we will try to win and play or football.”
The Club’s rotation:
“I’m not going to explain every decision that I make but I’ll ask you this question: Micha was on the bench, Ben Haim was on the bench and so was Vidar. Perhaps our rotation isn’t what you are seeing but I’m the only person in this room who is with the players on a day in day or basis. Tal (defender) has been our best player over the past little while and he also got to rest.”
In reference to the lack of plays off of corners:
“I don’t agree. Sagiv had a good dribble off a corner and we did this a number of times. Perhaps you don’t remember as we didn’t score goals this way. We always look to improve and change things around and it also depends on we the opponent is and the situation at hand. If Tal Ben Chaim the winger went past two players but didn’t score then you don’t remember. We have a number of drills that we use off of corners.”
Rajikovic’s form:
“I speak to both Shura and Rajiko. It’s not a single person’s problem. I want to see a proper wall when we have free kicks taken against us. I need more competition in the keeper’s position. In some cases there are limits on foreigners. I think that Daniel Lifshitz had some bad luck after getting injured in the Toto Cup match. He didn’t come out of the game and I have to give him credit for that. The other keepers need to challenge Rajikovic as well.”
Mistakes in critical moments:
“If a player passes by Dasa and a goal comes out of this, well that’s football. The other player was faster than him that specific time and it happens.”
The situation from the fans perspective:
“Our fans aren’t disappointed because Beer Sheva is doing well, but because of our performance. If someone believes that we have already lost the league then they are invited to go home, I don’t believe that we have.”
