Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue head coach spoke ahead of the club’s home contest on Saturday at 18:00 versus Bnei Sakhnin at the Netanya Stadium on Matchday 3 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The Maccabi boss talked about the rotation, the new players in the squad and the match coming up:
“It’s always a difficult match against Bnei Sakhnin. The National Team players came back and some are still injured. We will see what lineup we will field and we can now focus with the team that we have. I am happy with the team and I feel that they are balanced and it gives me a lot of options with different weapons. Now it’s time to make the right decisions. The team is a stronger going forward and now’s the time to prove it.”
About the new players:
“I’m happy because in the end when the news of Eitan’s (Tibi) injury came out and with Filipenka playing a few games over the last week and we found a player with experience like Jean-Sylvain Babin. That also the case for Jose Rodriguez whose talent is good but he is still young and has played for Spain and in Germany. He needs continuity and a place like Maccabi can give him that.”
The market:
“Sometimes the market is like this and we tried to sign players. We would like to do things earlier but sometimes that’s how it works. In two months we will see, sometimes it works and sometimes not. We have many different types of ways and systems to play. It’s now time for to us to show it.
I can’t complain at all as the club did what they had to do. Some years on the financial side it’s a plus and some years it’s a minus. Either way we will fight for the championship.”
Homegrown players:
“We have a lot of homegrown players in the squad and we have had a number in the squad every week. It’s always a mutual understanding and a benefit for the player to be loaned so that they can get minutes. Sometimes it’s difficult but it’s a chance to play and it is best for all sides. That’s the decision that we made and I’m good with it.”
Different types of players in the squad:
“I’m happy because the squad has different types of players. Some runners some that play with the ball, some wide and some on the side. Now we have a lot of options on the attack and some very good options. As for Eliran (Atar) we know what he did before here at Maccabi.”
About Eran Zahavi and the National Team:
“I think he admitted that he was mistaken and he was emotional. He is that type of player that has that type of character but that also makes him the player he is. The point is that he was booed at a home game and it was a bit of a strange situation. The way he reacted was a mistake but the fans have to support the national team at home.”
Changing systems on the pitch:
“We also did that last January for some games. It depends on the game and the strengths and weaknesses of the other team. It’s important to play different systems and the ability to change within the game.”
Injury update:
“Dasa is not ready and Golasa hasn’t played many games. Tibi is reasonably fit and we are waiting to have the squad in good shape and have a full squad to go forward.”
Rotating the players:
“I don’t believe in a first XI and nobody will play 60 games. A rotation is healthy and the more things change around the better. This is modern football and it’s happening everywhere. They need to manage themselves. It’s very clear from the start that this is a team and a team game. That’s the key, if you can’t live with it you won’t be here for long. The players have to understand that if they don’t play one game it’s not so bad and that they can comeback.”
