Eran Zahavi scored 22 goals in all competitions this season but the 36-year-old striker who hasn’t been on target in four matches dismissed all claims that this is something which will phase him. Ahead of the top of the table clash against second place Maccabi Haifa, Zahavi, whose side has an eight-point lead at the top of the table, said: “There is no doubt that a victory would give us a big push, but it is still another league clash we need to win. This match will not decide whether we win or lose the championship. There is a long way ahead.”
Zahavi who is enjoying his second spell at the club, added: “As a club, Maccabi Tel Aviv always prefers to play our football and be bold about our game. If we lose a game that is fine, but being brave is something gives confidence to the players. This year we are playing very brave football all over the pitch, we are not stepping aside from our way. As players we enjoy doing that and prefel to be brave as opposed to change our style because of an opponent.”
The veteran marksman who scored in eight successive matches in all competitions during November and December but has since hit a barren run of four matches was adamant: “I am under no pressure whatsoever as this has only been two weeks and not two months without a goal. I totally understand the expectations as I created them. I am my biggest critique a lot more than you are towards me. I want to score in every game, but the only fun thing I had about not scoring was that I didn’t score but we didn’t drop points. We are top of the table so I am delighted that my teammates covered up for me when things didn’t work out too well as they know I will pay them back. Every game is a good stage to get back to form and score which is what I am trying to do in every match, at every stadium anywhere across the world. I hope I will be able to do so, but my focus, is to do everything for the team. When the time will come to score, I will score”.
On playing under Robbie Keane, Zahavi paid tributes to the former Tottenham, LA Galaxy and Republic of Ireland legendary striker: “Robbie has helped me a lot in many aspects, but he also wants to kill me on other things I have been trying to improve. In every place I am at I try settling into the framework of the team and bring my things. Every player has tactical work he must do; sometime to make space for someone else, play with one touch etc’. All these are demands of the coach. I always try to walk between the raindrops and bring my own thing. Always, even at my age there is room to improve and people to learn from.”
