Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the media ahead of Monday night’s (21:00) Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika contest against Maccabi Netanya:
“I expect a tough game against a good team who play attacking style football. We need to be 100% focused to achieve the 3 points.”
Relationship with Slobodan Drapic:
“We played one time in the first round. We spoke a lot of times but now in the last week we haven’t spoken and I wish him all the best. I wish Slovo the best for our (Serbian) Christmas.”
Eyal Golasa’s status:
“Golasa started to train with the team before the Haifa match. He feels the problems in his leg. He works hard and we hope he will be with us soon. Our medical staff is giving him the best help he needs. He was one of our best players and we hope to have him back.”
Position on the table:
“It’s our job to watch the table, but our target is game by game just for the next opponent. This is the way we want to work. Every game can get 3 points, 1 points, or zero.”
Status of Uros Nikolic:
“Nikolic is with us 15-20 days he is working. He is in the right direction to be ready in one of the next games. Like every new player he needs time to adapt and to learn the way the team plays. It’s our decision when to use him.”
Transfer window:
“We have our vision. If we find something (a player) interesting for us we will make some movement.”
About Eli Dasa:
“He is a quality player, he plays for the national team and we want him to stay but it is the player’s decision. It’s totally normal that Dasa has an offer as he plays in the best team in Israel. Dasa is our player until the end of the season we hope he will stay with us. Kandil is doing his job good and created competition.”
Matan Hozez:
“A lot of teams want Hozez because he is a good quality player. We have 5-6-7 players in his position so there is competition. We want the best for our players and we will decide what will happen with him and some other players in the upcoming days.”
Yellow & Blue Midfielder Dor Peretz also spoke at the press conference:
“We prepare as always. We worked hard over the last 8 days and we will give it our best. Netanya is a good opponent and we will come prepared.”
More on Netanya:
“They have good players and play good team football. We are focused on this season. I think everyone always wants to beat Maccabi. We focus on ourselves and right now I’m only focusing on Maccabi and nothing more than that.”
Final words:
“I want to keep scoring if the gameplay allows me to. We know the importance of tomorrow’s game.”
