After securing Maccabi Tel Aviv place in the Conference League Play-Offs where he will face French outfit OGC Nice, Vladimir Ivic was delighted despite losing 2-1 to Aris in Thessaloniki. Maccabi who battled hard with 10 men following Dan Glazer’s sending off in the 60th minute advanced with a 3-2 victory on aggregate. Ivic, summed up the tie as he said after the match: “It was a tough match for all of us – for the fans who travelled here and those who followed us back in Israel. It was not easy to play with 10 men especially as we were trailing by 1-0, so to play like that for more than half an hour, at such a stadium and against such a strong opponent was far from easy. Ultimately we achieved what we wanted and if there is something positive we can take from this match – the players’ character shown here tonight. A team that wants to be in the next round. I am delighted for the players who gave everything tonight”.
“I believe we could have played better in the first half” Ivic continued, “We created several chances and I expect the team to play in the same way that we prepare for a game, but sometimes it is tough against opponents that prepare accordingly. I am delighted with the players especially on their reaction to the sending off which left us with 10 men as well as how the played after Aris took the lead. We have a lot of work in order to improve ourselves”.
On the ability and form of Eran Zahavi who scored yet another vital goal , Ivic said: “I said during my interview on Greek TV – I worked with many good players during my career and in Greece as well. But if we are talking about Eran then he is a star. I didn’t see too many players who work like he does. I am delighted he is with us. We are happy as a team to have qualified as a team and we will continue playing as a team”.
