Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach spoke ahead of his side’s Championship Playoff match against Maccabi Haifa on Saturday night (21:00) at the Netanya Stadium:
“There are no easy games. It’s similar to a Derby between the best two teams in Israel. Every game is important and it demands that we stay focused 100% of the time. We are playing a quality team who have played well over the last few months. They have shown that they play a number of styles and we have to prepare ourselves for this match and just concentrate on taking the win and the 3 points and nothing else.”
About the possible celebrations:
“We will decide at the end of the match. I don’t want to think about that now, just the game and the opponent. That’s my vision and that is what I ask of my players. That’s the way we want to work.”
Bringing in new players for those who are injured:
“We have another couple of months until the summer with many games. To say now what will be in the summer? That doesn’t seem to be serious.”
Nikolic’s injury:
“It occurred in a practice game a few days ago.”
The possibility of Haifa being Maccabi’s main rival next season:
“You can’t know what will be next season as it is still early for that. We are just concentrating on the next match. I respect them, and they are the second biggest club in Israel – in titles and on the table today. It will certainly be a tough game and the previous games don’t mean anything right now. This is a new game, a new story and everything will be different.”
