Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue boss addressed the media following his club’s 3:0 win over Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 17 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. He began by speaking about pulling within 2 points of first place Beer Sheva:
“I’d make a mistake if I said my personal thoughts on that. We can’t think about long term things and titles, but only the next game. We have to just focus on the next game.”
The match that was:
“We got into things that doesn’t help our football. Focus, ball possession and play fast but we did the opposite. We said to relax at halftime, be patient and look for the opportunities. Last time we played with 10 men, we lost. We have to remember that Netanya played 120 minutes in the Cup and after 11 minutes they were down one player. We have to stay clam. We took the points and that’s what is most important.”
The Iceman:
“Vidar is player that when he scores a goal, he will get on a roll and when there is not much space he is the most clinical finisher, where there is a lot of space and we can play from the sides and cross him the ball. We will see if he will continue to shoot penalties. He’s good in the training.”
Game changer Barak Itzhaki:
“He played almost 90 minutes in the Cup and he’s a player that you have to take care of and he’s a guy that can open up matches like he did today with a vital goal that gave us the three points. It was an Itzhaki moment.”
Taking step by step:
“Step by step and game by game and not look forward. Just look ahead to the next game and next training. Talking doesn’t give you titles. We have to put our nose down and be aggressive. Let’s stick with it that way.”
About Sheran Yeini playing more as a defensive back than midfielder and Dor Peretz’s play:
“A lot of things you plan in June end up being the opposite with time. We like to play with 3 in the back sometimes but I didn’t think we’d be playing with it for so many games in a row. The team benefits from his power. Dor is sticking with it and has gained confidence. He didn’t have that at the beginning of the season and mainly it’s a switch in his mentality that now he’s able to do all the work that he needs to.”
Killing the game:
“I don’t think this what we call kill a game. We had possession but we still are struggling to score when we have our chances and that was the same case as against MMBE. We just have to keep improving.”
Looking ahead to the two games against Maccabi Haifa in the league and Cup:
“We will not make any lineup thinking about the Cup. We will play organized and will look to dominate. It’s a game the fans like and there is a lot of passion.”
Constant changes in football:
“Football constantly changes and you never know what will be as a coach. I always will try to do my job even if there are decisions for next year. I will always give my opinion like I’m here. I’m not thinking about anything else other than the next game.”
Possibility of Carlos Garcia becoming the head coach down the road:
“It’s still very difficult for players to get Pro licenses in Israel which I find to be very strange.”
Tal Ben Haim’s status:
“We are playing with three in the back but we are really playing with 2 central defenders. He’s a player that when he was with us last year and when we needed him most he was there and I will always remember that. He will have a chance to play as one of the players has a 5th yellow card. Tal Ben Haim is part of the club.”
