Maccabi will try qualify to the Conference League Playoffs tonight (Thursday) as they host the 3rd qualifying round return leg at Bloomfield stadium. Patrick van Leeuwen’s charges who were held to a 0-0 draw by Spartak Trnava, will try and complete the task the began in Slovakia last week.
As Shakhter Karagandy needed a penalty shoot out to advance past Ukrainian outfit Kolos on Tuesday, Maccabi know that a victory against Trnava will see them travel to Kazakhstan next week for the first leg of the Conference League Playoffs. Due to the cancelation of the away goals rule this summer, any draw after 90 minutes or extra time would also lead to a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
Trnava, arrived in Israel on Tuesday on the back of a 4-0 victory in the league over bottom of the table Liptovsky Mikulas.
What can the history tell us?
In eight previous encounters (including last round against Sutjeska) that Maccabi played the first of two legs away from home – the match ended in a draw.
Since being eliminated by Grasshoppers Zurich in the 1995/96 season after a 1-1 draw in Zurich followed by a 1-0 victory for the Swiss at Bloomfield – Maccabi qualified at home in all of its’ 7 two legged ties on the back of drawing away.
In all three occasions Maccabi were held to a 0-0 away, the return to Tel Aviv was marked by victory and qualification (HJK Helsinki 2004/05, Pyunik Yerevan 2018/19, Sutjeska 2020/21).
Maccabi’s tally in 35 home matches played at Bloomfield is: 20 victories, 9 draws and 6 defeats. In 17 return legs played at Bloomfield Maccabi has an impressive record of 12 victories, 4 draws and a single defeat (Grasshoppers).
Rikan and Ben Chaim close to 50th European appearance
Avi Rikan and Tal Be Chaim could each make their 50th appearance for Maccabi in European competition should they feature in tonight’s match against Spartak Trnava.
From the current squad, only Sheran Yeini played more times for maccabi in Europe with 66 appearances in the various club competitions.
