The Yellow & Blue advanced to the Playoff Round of the Europa League as they defeated Panionios 1:0 (2:0 aggregate) thanks to an own goal by Korbos as the Greek captain deflected an Omer Atzily corner kick into his own goal. The Playoff Round draw to determine Maccabi’s next continental opponent will take place on Friday at 14:00.

Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic with defenders Ofir Davidzada, Tal Ben Haim, Eitan Tibi and Yuval Shpungin in front of him. Captain Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa and Cristian Battocchio manned the midfield while Aaron Schoenfeld, Omer Atzily and Vidar Kjartansson provided the attack up front.

Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Dor Peretz, Eliel Peretz, Barak Itzhaki, Dor Micha, Avi Rikan and Yonatan Cohen.

First Half
With Maccabi controlling the pace of the match throughout the majority of the first half, Atzily’s free kick in the 28th minute found its way into the box to Kjartansson but the Icelander’s attempt flew over the bar. Four minutes later, Atzily’s free kick from 25 meters out went over the wall forcing the Panionios keeper Matic Kotnik to make a sharp save going to his right as he sent the ball out for a corner kick.

Panionios had their first chance of the contest in the 36th minute as Samed Yesil missed just wide of Rajikovic’s right post while three minutes later the Serbian shot stopper made an impressive diving stop on Vlahos.

Atzily took a 42nd minute screamer but his effort missed the target as Maccabi looked to regain control of the match. Ben Haim picked up a yellow card for pushing down Yesil and Golasa received a yellow of his own for a reckless tackle on Masouras as the sides went into the break goalless.

Second Half
In the 52nd minute Golasa found Kjartansson in the box but his header from a tough angle just missed the target while two minutes later Rajikovic was called upon to make a tremendous save on Hajsafi’s attempt from 17 meters out after a poor clearance by Shpungin.

Atzily attempted another free kick which he put around the Panionios wall, but the keeper made a fine save yet again to deny number 7 in the 63rd minute. Nine minutes later, Savvidis tried his luck from long range but his shot went wide while in the 75th minute Battocchio’s low effort was stopped by the Greek keeper.

Cruyff made his first substitution in the 76th minute as he inserted Dor Micha in favor of Battocchio as he tried to jump start the Yellow & Blue offense. And jump start he would! Atzily took a 78th minute corner that deflected off of Korbos to give Maccabi a 1:0 lead, 2:0 on aggregate.

Dor Peretz was introduced in the 83rd minute for Kjartansson while Avi Rikan came on for Golasa five minutes later as Maccabi advanced to the Europa League Playoff Round. The draw to determine the Yellow & Blue’s opponent will be held on Friday at 14:00.