“We worked on things during training before Kiryat Shmona as well as today. I am delighted that the players did the things I had asked them to especially in the first half. I am not happy with our performance in the second half as we had a dip in form which is something we will need to improve” Itzhaki said, “We created enough chances and we are capable of creating more but this is a gradual process. This is a European competition which is always difficult regardless what opponent we are facing – I am delighted that we made it easy for ourselves”.
On Maccabi’s two successful seasons in Europe, Itzhaki added: “Last season we had a pretty good European season. We advanced past the group stages, we played against a team that we saw them play at the Bernabeu last night and if I am not mistaken we were not too far behind over the two legs. This season we started our European campaign very well. We are now in a position that guarantees qualification, yet we still don’t know where, but this is important. The financial side is important as well”.
“Every game we win and even score six goals in the past two matches, gives the players confidence and belief in their quality so all they have to do is show that on the pitch” Itzhaki added. With Sunday’s Tel Aviv derby just around the corner, Itzhaki summed up: “Now we will begin preparations for Sunday’s match which is very important and I don’t even have to explain how important. In the wake of our start to the season we can’t afford to look too far ahead but only concentrate on a game by game. We did that in Kiryat Shmona, we did it today and hopefully we will do it in Sunday’s derby as well”
