Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Sports Director spoke to the assembled media following Maccabi’s 2:1 win at home against Bnei Sakhnin at the Netanya Stadium. Cruyff discussed Oscar Scarione, Barak Itzhaki, his ultimate passion and why he doesn’t want to remain as coach:
“Because I think it’s the right thing to do, and I think it’s important that I do my job and the coach can do his job and it will make Maccabi stronger. I wish I could gave you more information as to why I’m still here but one day we will let you know.”
Maccabi’s play:
“I was happy with 30-35 minutes and then we began to lose the ball very easily and that’s what you can’t do to against Bnei Sakhnin because they have a very good counter attack. It’s what everyone wants to see, the players, fans and I all enjoyed it. But when we stopped doing what we did then we let Sakhnin back into the game and we paid the price. The key today was we didn’t get that second goal quickly enough .”
Getting back into the Championship race:
“I think the players understand that if we make mistakes then we will pay for it. Over the last few weeks we had an 11-point difference and we had a chance to cut into that lead. If we wanted to get back into it we had to do something today.”
Game by game:
“The best thing is that we focus game by game and Wednesday is the next important game which is in a different competition.”
Goal scorer Oscar Scarione:
“Scarione’s running statistics are always good and so is his goal scoring ability.”
Tal Ben Chaim’s status:
“When it’s a big financial decision I don’t have the final say. We sell the most players to Europe and we have had no problems selling players. But that is usually done in June and not January when we have to strengthen. The reason Tal didn’t play today was that he was really hurt.”
Nosa Igiebor not being in the squad:
“He trained apart from the rest if the club and it wasn’t enough for him to play.”
Transfers:
“The plans are always there and we don’t comment about these things in the press conference.”
Agreeing to terms with Marcelo Machado dos Santos:
“We looked for a player that wasn’t a play maker but who was hungry, with the dream of using us to go to the bigger leagues and will give battle in the midfield and will be imposing. We have to also remember that it takes time for foreigners to adjust to the Israeli league just as we had with Vidar. Everything takes time and he’ll adjust.”
The Ultimate Passion:
“The least I can do is give 200%. I’m not in the field and it’s the players that have to produce on the pitch, they are the ones that need to be commended. I like teams that can change systems during the game, this for me is my ultimate passion.”
About Barak Itzhaki:
“He’s a player with personality and when he presses the whole team follows him. I felt bad to take him off especially that he missed the penalty and the guilt feeling comes inside but we needed fresh legs.”
Having a Coach and Sports Director rolled up into one:
“That’s why the roles need to be split because it gives players an awkward feeling.”
