Nick Blackman helped Maccabi Tel Aviv take the 3 points and the victory against La Liga outfit Villarreal to end their Europa League campaign with 4 points. The English striker’s second half goal was all the Yellow & Blue needed to give the 1,500 Maccabi fans in attendance a chance to sing and cheer at the top of the lungs all the way back to Israel.
Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Avi Rikan, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Eitan Tibi, Ofir Davidzada, Yuval Shpungin, Dor Peretz, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha, Aaron Schoenfeld and Nick Blackman.
Available on the bench were Daniel Lifshitz, Eli Dasa, Tal Ben Haim, Cristian Battocchio, Eliran Atar, Vidar Kjartansson and Barak Itzhaki.
First Half
With Maccabi looking to break the ice early, Rikan’s 5’ free kick went to Babin but his header was blocked by the keeper and sent out for a corner, while 2 minutes later Micha’s cross couldn’t find its intended address in the area.
Roberto Soriano had the host’s first chance of the contest in the 20’ but his long range attempt went out while ten minutes later Soriano again tried his luck from long distance to no avail. In the 32’ Blackman’s header in the box was taken care of by Barbosa and one minute later Peretz picked up a yellow card for a reckless tackle. Rikan’s 35’ chance from outside the area went over the goal as Maccabi came closer to taking the lead.
In the 40’ Mario Gonzalez took a long attempt that went out, while 3 minutes later Chuca’s gorgeous half volley just missed the target as the sides went into the half goalless.
Second Half
With the game beginning to open up Chuca sent González a beauty of a ball right in front of Rajikovic’s goal but the latter skied it over the bar in the 51’ while a minute later Blackman steamed in front the right but his chance missed the target.
But, then it happened. Yes! Goal! Micha sent a magnificent through ball to Blackman and #11 slotted it home for a 1:0 Maccabi lead in the 60’. Ten minutes later the Yellow & Blue welcomed back Eli Dasa who entered the match for Micha. In the 74’ Maccabi almost doubled their lead when Blackman left a ball for Golasa who handed it off to Rikan but his attempt just missed the post.
Cristian Battocchio was introduced for Rikan in the 83’ as Villarreal looked desperately for an equalizer as Antonio Rukavina and Darío Poveda missed close chances. Eliran Atar came in for Blackman in the 90’ as Maccabi wrapped up the victory to finish their Europa League campaign with 4 points and on a high note.
