Maccabi Tel Aviv will visit Beitar Jerusalem Sunday at 21:00 on Matchday 6 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika. Head Coach Vladimir Ivic held his prematch press conference at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom ahead of the contest:
“We’ve played against many defensive teams and that’s part of our lives. We’re prepared for this if they decide to play this way. That’s their decision and we have to be ready, it’s normal. We’ve already faced teams that have played defensively and waited to counterattack.”
Speed of the Beitar attackers:
“We’re preparing ourselves for this, talking about this a lot and working hard. There are things that we need to improve from last match and that’s our goal. You’ll have to see if we have prepared something different tomorrow.”
The Starting XI:
“I don’t know what they are saying in the press. I know what my Starting XI is as do the players. No one has a guaranteed place in the starting lineup that’s for sure. Everyone has to fight and work hard in order to get one of these places. It all depends on how they work, the opponent’s players and how we want to play. This is normal and I don’t care what others think. I know what my job is and we all want to give 100% every match and choose the appropriate Starting XI.”
Players on the National Team:
“We are happy that there are many Maccabi players on the National Team. I’ve said in the past that it’s important for us. If possible, I’d be happy if there were 11 Maccabi players in the lineup. That means that we are working correctly and that we have good players. I hope that we will have more and more players on the National Team.”
About Chico Ofoedu:
“He’s a player that has different characteristics than others in that position. We brought him in to help us, he works hard, he’s a professional and tries to give his best every day. He’s a player that can be very important for us this season.”
