Head Coach Jordi Cruyff addressed the media following Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Toto Cup victory at the Netanya Stadium thanks to a Vidar Kjartansson header in the 83’ to capture the trophy:
“I’m not a guy that likes to celebrates too much. I’m happy for the staff and players, they got a prize for their effort they put into the game. The fans had a happy moment after a long time. It’s medicine for one day and we still have a disadvantage in the league.”
Wanting to win:
“There’s always more adrenaline in a game like this because the players want to win, there was a lot of pride. The 2:1 loss that we suffered in the league against Beer Sheva was in the back of their minds and it was an unacceptable loss. They knew that if they played relaxed against Beer Sheva they could be deadly. We played with intensity the full game.”
Busy schedules for both teams:
“We both had crazy schedules this season and both Maccabi and Beer Sheva played more than every other team in Europe. Both teams had injuries and there were players looking at the bench a few times tonight.”
Disappointment:
“We’ve lost 3 Finals in a row. The Super Cup and two State Cups and it was time to show that Maccabi could stand up. I’ve always felt support here. The bench is always the hot seat and it’s inherent in the job. I understand the disappointment. At the end it doesn’t matter if you don’t take enough points everyone is disappointed. The players, staff and the owner. I don’t like it but I have to accept it. If I was a fan I may complain as well.”
Killing the game:
“The last few games we haven’t been able to to train. In a way yes but you can’t define our system. I believe in passion and discipline on the field. We shoot a lot, pass a lot but we don’t kill the games. We should have finished the game much earlier.”
Confidence:
“I think it will give confidence to the players and it’s a signal to the players what you can do if you play with intensity and toughness. If you don’t show enough effort you won’t win the games. Beer Sheva have been able to win games late and that is something that we had 3-4 years ago. I’m happy with the effort and the players have to understand that they have to give 200%.”
Vidar not starting the last few matches:
“In Spain we wanted players with more vertical and speed and it worked well with Aaron Schoenfeld and Nick Blackman in Villarreal. We felt that they deserved continuity and they played against Petah Tikva. We felt we were playing well and we felt it was the right time for him to come on. When you put the effort the prize comes.”
Players:
“Melikson was never an option for us as he had to go there. Nwakaeme was offers to us but we had winger Tal Ben Chaim. He’s an amazing player and grown into one of the top players of this league. Ben Chaim scored more than ten goals each year, had great speed and we sold him. He had a great career with us. Give them the credit, they have a stadium we don’t and they don’t lose at home. We lost Zahavi and he is the best Israeli player. He was a killer.”
About Maharan Radi:
“I like Radi and he’s a great person. Sometimes football brings these things and he wanted to play every week. They offered him a good contract sometimes you let it go.”
