Maccabi Tel Aviv Champions League is over after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Austria’s champions Salzburg in the Playoff as the two legged tie ended 5-2 on aggregate.
Eden Kartzev scored a temporary equalizer to cancel Daka’s early lead but a controversial penalty on the stroke of halftime resulted with the dismissal of Georgios Donis and ultimately took the tie beyond Maccabi’s reach.
Pre Match
Missing 11 players who are all recovering after testing positive for COVID, Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis made several changes to the side which suffered a 2-1 defeat in Tel Aviv.
Ben Bitton, Eytan Tibi and Sheran Yeini were named as the three central defenders and the final line protecting Daniel Tenenbaum’s goal. Maor Kandil returned to the right side of defense after serving his one-match touchline ban while Matan Baltaxa slotted in on the left. Eden Kartzev and Eyal Golasa were named as the two anchormen at the heart of midfield. Itay Schechter and Dan Biton supplied the support for Eylon Almog upfront.
First Half
Salzburg began the game where they left off in Tel Aviv as they attacked Daniel Tenenbaum’s goal with large numbers. Patson Daka opened the scoring in the 16th minute as Dan Biton was dispossessed on the edge of the area before Daka fired past Tenenbaum.
Salzburg’s winger who was left unmarked to head a corner over the bar, could have doubled the score minutes later, but forced an instinct save from Tenenbaum. Sekou Koita also broke through but Tenenbaum once again came to the rescue with a last gasp save.
Right on the hour mark, Maccabi doubled the score in spectacular style as Eden Kartzev broke through the middle, blasted a shot which Cican Stankovic could only punch out before Kartzev latched on the rebound and blasted a low drive into the net.
On the stroke of halftime Salzburg were awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances which led to Donis being booked and then sent off by referee Felix Brych. Dominik Szolboszlal stepped up and just like at Bloomfield blasted his spot kick past Tenenbaum to make it 2-1 at halftime.
Second Half
With Donis sent to the stand, Makis Angelinas guided the side in the second half as Matan Hozez replaced Ben Biton on 64 in a bid to add a pair of fresh legs upfront. But within four minutes Salzburg increased their lead as Daka headed in his second and Salzburg’s third.
Amit Glazer replaced the tired Maor Kandil and Ronen Hanzis came in for Eylon Almog shortly after, but despite several attempts Maccabi couldn’t cut the deficit which stood on 5-2 on aggregate.
