Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach spoke ahead of Monday night’s contest in the capital city against Beitar Jerusalem at 21:00. He looked at the Toto Cup win, showing passion and Beitar:
“It’s always a special match as they are a team with passion and difficult to play against. Our recent history has been tough and we’ve had trouble with them. We have to put aside the Toto Cup and we have to bring aggressiveness and passion to the game just as Beitar always have. We have to win and take the points.”
About Beitar Jerusalem:
“We have suffered a lot against them in the league and they are a tough team for us to play especially when you play open football. It’s as if you’re going into a candy shop. You have to be organized.”
Characteristics of championship teams:
“If you have any ambition to win the title, you can’t lose the points that we have lost. In some games we deserved it, in others we had them in our hands and we lost them. A championship team can’t do that.”
About Dor Peretz:
“As each game needs different necessities we will have to plan accordingly. He works hard every single day and is improving a lot.”
Respect for Beitar:
“Tomorrow’s match deserves not 100% but 200% focus and if we look at anything else it’s disrespecting the opponent and they deserve our respect.”
Showing passion:
“It’s a crucial match for us especially that they showed they have the passion and it’s unacceptable not to show it in any other match. If you want to be winners, you have to show it game after game. We need the points and want the points. It’s a question of character.”
Changing the system on the pitch:
“I don’t think we have played one clear system the last few games. Some players don’t have the characteristics of being a wingback for example. We had to show a fighting spirit and that’s why some players appeared. Clean sheets bring points and right now we are organizing and stabilizing and then take a step forward in the attacking sense.”
Cristian Battocchio not playing recently but celebrating after the Toto Cup win on the pitch:
“There is a large group of players and we have other players in the midfield that are playing well and we over used him a lot. He played many games and there are other players in his position that are playing well. He played well in the #6 which is not his strongest position, but it’s a good sign of team work that even if some players have played less recently they celebrate with the team.”
Set pieces:
“We have conceded less from set pieces but we have to improve in that area.”
Final thoughts about the Toto Cup and going forward in the league:
“The Club needed it and the players needed it, but now we have to turn our attention to the league.”
