Maccabi Tel Aviv drew 0:0 with Spanish outfit Villarreal on Matchday 2 of the Europa League. Central defender Tal Ben Haim summed up the experience as to how he along with his teammates felt about the match:
“There are mixed feelings. We are happy that we didn’t give up a goal, but we were a bit tired from Sunday’s match against Maccabi Haifa. After picking up a red card and leaving only ten men on the pitch for a half, that perhaps left some of our offensive play on the tired side. I believe that if we continue this way and everyone gives it their all, the goals will come. We are a bit disappointed even though we played against an excellent side. It’s the second match in a row that the players put on a performance. An experience.”
The group stage battle:
“This is only the second match. Of course we are disappointed with the result at Slavia Prague as we had enough chances to score but we are just at the beginning of the campaign and there are more matches to pick up points from.”
Maccabi’s play:
“At the start of the match we played very well and we showed our quality and we pressed. I believe that the players gave it their all, as well as the fans and this is the way that we need to continue to play.”
Looking ahead to the Ashkelon match:
“They are an excellent club and they have shown it this season. We will prepare for this match in all seriousness and right now this is the most important game we have coming up.”
