Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Omer Atzili said at Thursday’s pre-match news conference ahead of Ness Ziona that he was pleased to be back.
“I feel good, particularly recently. There was a tentative period as I was recovering but I’m pleased it’s all behind me now and I relish every moment I’m on the pitch and that’ I am able to help my teammates.”
“It’s always hard to watch from the sidelines but I’m pleased the team was delivering wins and it has made it much easier to return. I was going to sleep dreaming of when I was going to be back.”
Atzili suffered a groin strain in August and has been out of action ever since. Earlier, he underwent a hernia operation in Germany and after the injury he feared the possibility of another operation, but said he was thankful this does not not appear to be necessary.
“I’m very pleased I didn’t need to have an operation. I feel good, also in terms of fitness and I hope to play my part.”
Every player who gets his chance must give 100 percent because if he won’t play well, he’ll be out for the next game, so we all try our hardest.”
In answer to a question about Maccabi’s goalless record so far, he said:
“We feel great with the record but we aren’t concentrating on that. We would like to hold on to it, although what is most important is that we are delivering results.”
“I hope we don’t have goals ruled out this week and that we will be able to win,” Atili said after last weekend Maccabi had four goals disallowed because of various infringements.
