Maccabi Tel Aviv returns to league play on Monday night at 21:00 at Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 4 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The club held the prematch press conference this afternoon as Jordi Cruyff looked ahead to upcoming contest at the Netanya Stadium:
“We have to make the switch from the Europa League and make sure that we are ready. The league is our main objective and we have to be prepared for the match against Maccabi Netanya.”
The Starting XI:
“When you lose an easy match then there could be many changes. In the six seasons that I’ve been here we have made many changes. We don’t publish the lineup in advance and I like that everyone has the feeling that they could play. We will continue to work as we have over the past six seasons and I don’t see any reason why we need to change this now”
About Netanya:
“We played against them in the Toto Cup and they were very good in that match. They have a system that they use to play against every club and that’s something that we have to respect. They have an identity and it’s tough to play against them, but we will play our football and we will identify where our strengths are. The interesting part of modern football is changing systems and we have to occasionally do that.”
The success of the former Maccabi players:
“I’m happy for them. They were very committed when they were here and they gave 100%. I’m always happy when they are successful and they all know that.”
On Battocchio and Susic:
“I’m happy with their play over the past few matches and I’m used to the criticism being leveled at the foreign players first in Israel. Their nationality isn’t important, they have to do what we expect from them. I remember when they said that Rajikovic was a flop and in my opinion he is now one of the most valuable players in Israeli football.”
