Maccabi’s captain Sheran Yeini tells the news conference before tomorrow’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie that the team are preparing to face quality opposition and the players are expecting a tough encounter. Watch the press conference here
” We have seen our opponents and have analysed the video footage They are a good side and last season managed a good result against APOEL Nicosia. We respect them and will take this match with the utmost seriousness, this is a super-important competition for us and all the teams competing are quality sides so we are preparing for a tough encounter.
Q: Sheran, you said you have not yet trained with the team after returning from injury, are you ready to play and will we see you on the pitch?
A: It depends on the coach, I am trying my hardest to be in the best possible shape each day but it’s up to the coach.
Q: Is there a little pressure in the club following the loss to Cluj?
A: There is no pressure, this is part of football and it’s all to do with experience. I have encountered a situation where were knocked out by Basel in the Champions League, and following that we had an excellent run in the group stage of the Europa League and we even made it out of the groups. In football anything can happen, there is no point in panicking, we have to learn from the past, be prepared and through this increase our chances of victory, that’s all.
Q: Against Red Star Belgrade, even though they lost, Suduva made life very difficult for their opponents. The look like a good side.
A: In football it’s very easy to make life difficult for the opponents. I do not expect any easy games and we will have to be at our best and show a lot of courage and spirit. I think this club has great character and we will have to show that during the game.
Q: Maccabi is not usually at its peak for these matches because they take place before the start of the season while Suduva are mid-way through theirs, how will this affect you?
A: I have learned that there are no excuses; you have to give your best in every situation in order to get the result you need and that’s what we will do.
Q: How do you feel with the return of Eitan Tibi and that you will be cooperating again?
A: Eitan is a good friend and an excellent player, there are four players competing for the same position and they are all excellent. I respect and appreciate them all and the competition for places (in defence) will be challenging but we have a long season ahead (and there will be enough work for everybody). I am very pleased that he has returned.
Q: How do you assess your fitness level?
A: I think we are in a good situation, certainly from a physical fitness perspective but sometimes even if you are at your best level and you don’t control the game, you become tired but we want to control the pace, control the ball and decide when we want to increase the pace and when we want to play at a slower pace.
Q: Do you want to kill off the game in this leg?
A: From my experience, there is no such thing, there are very few games in which such things happen. It will be amazing if it does happen, but it rarely happens.
