Nir Bitton, who marshalled Maccabi’s defense and helped the side to another clean-sheet and a 2-0 victory over newly promoted side Hapoel Petah Tikva, faced the media at the end of the match and said: “We knew it will be a tough match, that Hapoel Petah Tikva will make it difficult for us and that we will work hard to win here. I am delighted we won. People are expecting us to dance on the pitch and crush any opponent that comes here to Bloomfield, but this league is extremely difficult. Teams know how to defend and play which was evident today. It was an extremely tough match and I am delighted we won”.
The former Celtic defender who played in numerous old firm derbies during his 9-year-long tenure in Glasgow, reflected on last week’s Tel Aviv derby: “Every match is different, during the derby the match developed in our favor. Today was a totally different match, very tight” the 31-year-old said. “Had Eran scored his penalty in the first half the match would have evolved differently. There are matches like that but the most important thing is that we won and collected the three points”.
On Zahavi’s three attempts from the penalty spot, Bitton revealed his position: “Let me say that I would never have taken a penalty for the third time. I looked back and didn’t even want to see it. I told myself that if Eran misses a penalty for the third time then we are heading for a long night. I am glad he managed to keep his calm and it went in. Eran is Eran and I am just delighted we won the match”.
