Maccabi Tel Aviv opened up the 2018/19 campaign with their first official match of the season under new Head Coach Vladan Ivic which ended in a dramatic 1:1 draw at Ferencvaros in the first leg of first round Europa League qualifying action. Eliran Atar provided the Yellow & Blue with the valuable away goal in the 91’ as Maccabi will look to advance next week back in Israel in the return leg next Thursday.

“This was the first half of the game and we finished 1:1. The second half will be in Israel next week. We came here to win the game but this was a good result over the first 90 minutes.”

The Coach continued: “We pressed from the start and we had a number of good chances. After we gave up the goal we pressured our opponent even more and we created more chances near the end of the game. Fortunately we scored in the last few minutes.”

About the squad:
“This is not our final squad, but the players we have now put us in a good position and we will work hard towards the upcoming match.”

The formation:
“I try to play the game with the players at my disposal and I will see what the best system will be for us. This was the first game away and we played with the two strikers. We will see in the future what will be best for us.”

Atmosphere created by the fans:
“There was a good atmosphere, but I hope that our fans will come to the match next week and create the best atmosphere possible.”