Monday’s Tel Aviv derby will be the 162nd league match between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Of the 161 Tel Aviv derbies played, Maccabi won 57, lost 46 and 58 matches were drawn with a total goal tally of 195-154.
The dramatic late 3-2 derby victory on February 12th was the second derby Maccabi scored an injury time winner. Both winning goals were scored in the 93rd minute; Djordje Jovanovic (2022) and Eran Zahavi in the memorable 3-2 victory in the 2013/14 season.
Jovanovic became the 21st Maccabi player to mark his Tel Aviv derby debut with a goal. Brandley Kuwas who scored on his derby debut in the previous round, was the 20th player to do so.
In Maccabi’s history, only three Maccabi players scored a brace on their derby debuts: Rafi Levy (1955/56) Micky Ben Shitrit (1984/85) and Vidar Kjartansson (2016/17).
Maccabi’s unbeaten record against Hapoel in Tel Aviv derbies now stretches to 16 in the league and 21 in all competitions.
Of the current squad, only Sheran Yeini and Tal Ben Chaim were members of Maccabi squad to have lost a derby.
Yeini made 28 appearances in Tel Aviv derbies and is currently ranked fourth amongst all the Maccabi players to have participated in that league fixture. Miko Belo (33), Avi Nimni and Benny Tabak (29) could be joined byYeini should he feature on Monday at Bloomfield.
Yeini’s debut derby appearance was a 3-0 Toto Cup defeat in the 2005/06 season.
Besides Yeini, Tal Ben Chaim made 12 appearances for Maccabi in the Tel Aviv derby (ranks 47th in the time appearance record). Avi Rikan, Eyal Golasa and Enric Saborit featured in 10 Tel Aviv derbies each.
Hapoel’s coach Kobi Refuah met Maccabi 13 times in the league losing 7 times, drawing 4 and winning 2.
