Sheran Yeini, The Yellow & Blue Captain joined host Lior Timor on the latest episode of Maccabi-Cast as the veteran spoke all about what to expect from Maccabi this coming season and began by looking at Matchday 1 opponent Beitar Jerusalem:
“It’s just another match, but it’s not just another match. Of course, it’s the first league match and we want to take maximum points and it’s very important not to drop any points especially at the start of the season when we want to set the tone for the campaign to come. So it’s very important for us. It will be the 16th match and we are already rolling with the season, so it’s not really our first match as we’ve already had that. But we are expecting a tough game from Beitar Jerusalem and a team that has caused us plenty of issues over the past few seasons. So we will have to be very focussed and rest properly before the match after a challenging trip away in Austria.”
More on Beitar:
“Beitar is always a tough club for us to play against and after the match in Austria we began to focus on them. So it’s important that we get proper rest after the flight and get physically prepared for the match. We are preparing for a tough contest as they have a lethal attack and we have to be focussed and ready for them.”
Expectations from Maccabi this season:
“A Maccabi who will be tough to play against and will give up few chances. A Maccabi that every player will come to work hard for and where there are no players who place themselves above the team. A club that has teammates who will give everything they have and support one another. This is the Maccabi the fans will see this season.”
Goals:
“Every time you finish second or say that another club is better than us, then that is something that infuriates me and is very hard for me to hear. That is something that we want to change. We are working to be in first place.”
Position Yeini will play this campaign:
“I grew up playing as a midfielder and I enjoy filling that role. I am playing more of a defensive position and my job is to stay back and steal the ball or stop counter attacks. So it’s a role where there is more balance and defense. I will do what I have to for the club and what Jordi asks me to do. I want to improve my play, be it trying to distribute the ball better from a defensive position and I am excited for this challenge. I’m enjoying it and I know that you haven’t seen me in this role at Maccabi for a long time. They were happy and satisfied with me in Holland and I hope that will be the case here in Israel.”
More about the role on the pitch:
“I am working on stopping the counter attacks with the two central defenders and to make sure the players also know where to position themselves and how to get to the ball. There are some cases like against Panionios in Greece where I had to mark a specific player to make sure he couldn’t score.”
About playing for Coach Jordi Cruyff:
“It’s such a treat to work with Jordi. He understands us and takes us to heart. But he also demands a lot from us and demands very high standards. He won’t accept a second rate effort from us and we have to give everything we have. In turn, the staff is giving us a tremendous amount of support and it’s a great combination and cooperation.”
Improving this season:
“We have to be tougher, together and play like men. Not just defensively but knowing what to do with the ball in front of the goal, or to make the right pass. To be confident, aggressive, tackle and to win the first or second ball and of course the 50/50 balls. We have to improve and work on all of that.”
Final thoughts:
“I want to win it all, whether it’s the State Cup, the League, the Toto Cup or the Champions Cup. Everything.”
