Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League journey continues Thursday night at 18:00 Israel time when they face Astana on Matchday 3 of the Europa League. This evening Head Coach Jordi Cruyff looked at the challenge that lies ahead for his club against the Kazakhstan champions:

Chances for tomorrow:
“We know that they are difficult and have had very good results in their home games in Europe. The grass is different as it’s synthetic and we have to get used to that. But we are optimistic to try and play our game and get a result.”

Injuries on both Astana and Maccabi:
“We also have many injures so it’s probably equal. We left about 6-7 players in Tel Aviv.”

Goals in the Europa League:
“All four teams have the same objective as we all feel that Villarreal are the favorites in the group. They are a Spanish team and will always be favorites. I think it’s quite equal between 2,3,4 and we will all take points from each other. We have two games against Astana and whoever takes more points in these games will have a good chance to be second.”

About the Astana Head Coach Stanimir Stoilov:
“Yes, we know each other and met many years ago in Cyprus and from then on we have always followed each other and I have looked at his results. I’ve always been very happy for him as he made it to the Champions League Group Stages and has won his league here a number of times. I wish him all the best, but not tomorrow. I like him as a coach and as a person and I respect him.”

Who’s stronger? Astana or Kairat?
“In the local league Astana has won the championship so on paper they are supposed to be stronger. Kairat was very good against us. When we played last July/August we were not yet in a good form and we were a it lucky to qualify that round. If we would have played Kairat any a different moment I think we could have done better. But this is a new opponent on an artificial pitch in different conditions. This opponent has a very good recent European history and we have to respect that.”

Having held many positions since his playing career:
“I just like football. Every experience is good and I’m very happy with the choices and we don’t know yet what the future will bring.”

Being the son of Johan Cruyff:
“My father was a legend as a player had legendary vision as a coach. Legends are legends and the rest of us are just trying to work hard to get our own results. We can’t compare even if I am his son as we are two different people. He was a legend and I am not. Like almost all coaches we like to play attacking and offensive football but I don’t think that it’s logical for me to compare myself to him. I am not as food as him and neither is 99% of football people these days.”