Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach addressed the assembled press prior to Monday night’s match against Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 18 of that Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al at Sammy Ofer Stadium, 21:00:
“We’re focusing on the game tomorrow, continue game to game and not think about the one that comes after. We have to focus on how we can get our points tomorrow. No sense of thinking ten days ahead and we have Ashkelon before the Cup match against Haifa.”
Not easy to defeat a club two matches in a row:
“It’s been proven that it’s difficult but we have to focus on our objective and there is no benefit to think about a game so far ahead.”
The Israel Classico:
“It’s two big clubs in an amazing stadium with great supporters who are behind their team. It’s a game of adrenaline, the past, present and the future. The day of the game will decide who will win the game. There are no favorites.”
Playing with character:
“Focus on ourselves and play with the same mentality and character just like we did away at Beitar Jerusalem.”
About Mo Allach at Haifa:
“I like Allach and how he works. There is always thought behind his decisions and I believe that Maccabi Haifa are in good hands.”
Playing Dor Peretz in place of Jose Rodriguez in the number 6 position:
“Rodriguez had surgery and we needed strength, win duels and character in the midfield and that’s what Dor Peretz has been giving us.”
Egor Filipenka and Matan Baltaxa going out on loan:
“Players will play more minutes and it’s both beneficial to the player and the club. We have a big squad and the European campaign is over so it’s a chance for them to get minutes. We thought Filipenka would play more, but he had injuries and didn’t have a run. We want to see him prove that he is a at level that we want and he will have a good run.”
Dor Micha playing as a left wing:
“I think Dor is a player that you could put in a position but he gets all over because that’s part of his football intelligence, he has been crossing the same amount from the right and the left.”
About Dor Peretz:
“We signed a new contract with him and that says all about the confidence we have in him. He can play in a number of positions, where he may want to play at one, he can play multiple positions. He’s a player with personality, character and intelligence. The team has hugely benefited from him winning duels. I believe that he can also be an excellent central defender. He combines the physical, tactical and intelligence to be a European player.”
On Avi Rikan:
“I have played him in many positions and places on the pitch, so I’m happy with him.”
