Pregame
For the crucial match against Sivasspor, Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis made two changes from the side which suffered a 3-2 defeat to Ashdod on Monday. Eytan Tibi stepped in for Sheran Yeini to partner Luis Hernandez as the two central defenders in front of Daniel Tenenbaum. Maor Kandil replaced Ben Biton at right back while Enric Saborit who served a one-match-touchline ban against Qarabag on MD5 returned to the left side of defense to complete the back four.
The midfield trio of Dan Glazer as the anchorman supported by Eyal Golasa and Dor Peretz all kept their places. Dan Biton and Yonatan Cohen were allocated to the wings with Aleksandar Pesic leading the attack.
First Half
The opening minutes of the game began with Maccabi dominance which saw Dor Peretz reach a good chance but the midfielder was let down by his touch. In the 10th minute Yonatan Cohen found himself deep inside Sivasspor’s half, but his attempt of a first time cross was over-hit.
In the closing stages of the first half Sivasspor took the initiative and won a few corners, but Maccabi’s defense managed to hold on. On the stroke of halftime Max Alain Gradel cut from the left to the center but Tenenbaum wasn’t caught off guard.
Second Half
Olarenwaju Kayode charged down the left side of Maccabi’s defense in the 55th minute only to see Mustapha Yatabare fail to connect onto the dangerous square ball the former Maccabi Netanya winger sent across the face of goal.
Donis made his first change two minutes after the hour mark as Ofir Davidzada replaced Biton. The tactical change saw Maccabi shift to three central defenders with Saborit pushing into the middle alongside Tibi and fellow Spaniard Hernandez.
The change paid off within five minutes as Saborit picked the ball inside Sivasspor’s half, charged forward and unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot which rocketed into the top corner giving Samassa no chance.
Donis added more firepower as Avi Rikan and Tal Ben Chaim replaced Golasa and Cohen on 73.
Nick Blackman and Sheran Yeini replaced Pesic and Saborit to fight on for the final seven minutes.
