Maccabi Tel Aviv opened up the new 2019/20 season with a Champions Cup contest against Bnei Yehuda at the Moshava Stadium and took home the title thanks to a first half goal by Aaron Schoenfeld.
Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Andreas Gianniotis, Maor Kandil, Sheran Yeini, Shahar Piven, Matan Baltaxa, Dan Glezer, Ruslan Barsky, Dor Micha, Matan Hozez, Yonatan Cohen and Aaron Schoenfeld.
First Half
Both sides opened the contest tentatively with few chances and in the 20’ Yeini was subbed out injured and was replaced by Jair Amador. In the 28’ Maccabi grabbed the lead as a corner from the left side came to Hozez who sent it over to Schoenfeld who put the ball behind the Bnei Yehuda keeper for a 1:0 advantage.
In the 35’ Gianniotis stood up to his first test when Zaneti tried to beat the Maccabi keeper from 17 meters but the shot stopper was ready. At the other end of the pitch Schoenfeld tried to double the lead as well as his goal output but his header off a cross from Glezer was easily saved by Zoubas.
Cohen had a chance to add to the Yellow & Blue lead right before the break but his shot from a tough angle was saved by an awaiting Zoubas as Maccabi took a 1:0 advantage into halftime.
Second Half
The second half began without any substitutes and in the 54’ Glezer had an opportunity to score of a Cohen corner but his header went over the goal while the aforementioned Cohen’s 25 meter laser just missed the Bnei Yehuda goal.
Ivic brought on Eliran Atar, Itay Shechter, Avi Rin and Ophir Davidzada as Maccabi wrapped up the match and lifted the 2019/20 Champions Cup to the delight of the Yellow & Blue faithful. The club has now won their 6th Champions Cup, the most of any other Israeli team.
