Eran Zahavi scored a hattrick against Celje to give Maccabi a 4-1 advantage in the Conference League Playoff ahead of the return leg in Slovenia. After the game Maccabi fans bid farewell from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz who will head for Germany where he will undergo a medical at Bayern Munich. The veteran striker, who took the match ball home with him, joked after the game: “Forget the ball, I ran to Peretz and asked him for his shirt.” On a more serious note, Zahavi added: “We experienced a very emotional moment here tonight. We are very happy and proud of Daniel, wish him the all the success in the world, believe in him as he deserves everything this world has to offer.”
On Peretz’s move and how it will effect the team, Zahavi added: “Sadly the void Daniel leaves behind him will be difficult to fill as he is a very significant player. His attitude, approach, professionalism and the atmosphere he creates around him. He is a special kid. We will struggle but this is also something which would benefit Maccabi in the future. A club that sells players for such fees every year, maybe we can brand the club as one that creates players. Young players would like to come here as they understand that from here one can progress to the highest places in Europe.”
Zahavi, who scored his ninth goal so far this season, said about his recent good form: “Sometimes the balls go in easier and sometimes it is more difficult. I must have got you all used that every shot on the edge of the penalty box is easy but this is far from it. I am taking responsibility, this is my job and this is what I get paid for – to create chances, to score goals and to be as positive as I can. I am trying to do my best for as long as I am on the pitch.”
Zahavi also paid tribute to Dor Turgeman who scored Maccabi’s fourth goal with a spectacular strike: Turgeman deserves a good word as he brought in plenty of energy and scored an important goal that placed us in a very good position for the return leg.”
