Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Avi Rikan, speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s league clash with Bnei Yehuda at Bloomfield said that many mistakes had been made but that it was time to redress the balance and start winning again.
“I think that after we led 2-0, we needed to do the opposite of what we did on the field to ensure victory but we made all the mistakes and allowed them back in. We needed to respond and we didn’t, clearly I am disappointed, as we all are,” Rikan said.
The 3-2 defeat to Hapoel Umm El Fahm on Saturday in the eighth round of the State Cup stunned Maccabi and has left them with only the league to fight for. That loss, coupled with the two previous draws is the longest winless streak for Maccabi this season. 
“We lost to a Second Division side. We could have scored more goals in that first half hour and the game would have been over. The best way to analyse a situation is when you are not at your best but the best solution is to get back to winning ways and tomorrow we want to turn a new page.”
Rikan added that the different lineup should not have resulted in the loss to Umm El Fahm.
“Changing lineups has worked well in the past, both with this coaching crew last season and beforehand. It’s always been the case and it’s clear to us players that this is the way things need to be. Often players come in and score and gain confidence. All the players need to play well and I’m sure they will,” he said.
Rikan said that with the league now the only remaining competition for the season, things would change.
“We had two draws and we will need to be at our best against very stubborn opponents, we only have the league to play for now.”
