Preview:
For their 25th European campaign, Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at the Stadionul Steaua in Bucharest to play the Champions League 2nd qualifying round first leg against the Romanian champions. While Maccabi lined-up for the 182nd European match, Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, guided the team for his first international match in charge. Lazetic, who won his first official match beating Maccabi Petah Tikva in the Super Cup, didn’t make too many changes to his starting line up.
Tyrese Asante who made his Maccabi debut as a second half substitute against Petah Tikva at Bloomfield, was handed his first start to partner Raz Shlomo as the two central defenders. Idan Nachmias at right-back and Ofir Davidzada on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati.
The midfield trio of Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz was kept as Maccabi’s engine room in Bucharest. With no Felicio Milson in the squad, and in the absence of the five players Roy Revivo, Ido Shahar, Osher Davida, Dor Turgeman and Elad Madmon who are with the Israel Olympic team, Lazetic named Avishay Cohen on the right and Henry Addo on the left. Upfront, Eran Zahavi led the line and his team out wearing the captain’s armband aiming to add to his 30 international goals for Maccabi.
On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Ofek Melika, Dan Biton, Yonas Malede, Matan Hozez, Nadav Niddam, Matan Baltaxa, Saied Abu Farchi, Shahar Rosen, Roy Nawi, Bar Lin, Adir Cordoba and Nir Bitton.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot with Tyrese Asante showing no signs that this his European debut as he confidently carried the ball out of defense early on before picking Henry Addo whose cross was cleared. Maccabi continued to dominate as Eran Zahavi created himself the time and space on the edge of Steaua’s penalty area but saw his right foot shot narrowly miss the target.
The hosts began to gain control and created their chance in the 14th minute as Alexandru Baluta broke into the box from the left before curling a shot which was equalled by Roi Mishpati. In the 21st minute Asante was booked by referee Gergo Bogar for a mistimed tackle on Steaua’s Marius Stefanescu. Three minutes later Henry Addo was also cautioned while Idan Nachmias saw yellow on 28 as well for a foul on Steaua’s captain Darius Olaru.
Zahavi had another sighting of goal and pulled his trigger from the edge of the area but the 36-year-old marksman couldn’t keep his shot down as the ball curled over. While both sides enjoyed plenty of possession, none of the teams created any serious chance with Mishpati and his opposite number Steafan Tarnovanu were left untroubled before the halftime whistle was blown.
Second Half
Two minutes after the restart saw Maccabi create their best chance of the game as Addo’s backheal flick released Ofir Davidzada whose cross found Avishay Cohen. The right back who was playing as a right winger only needed to find the target but from close range side footed the ball to the wrong side of the post. A Raz Shlomo last gasp tackle in the 51st minute denied Steaua from breaking the deadlock. Four minutes later Addo threatened to break into the area from the left but was brought down by Siyabonga Ngezana before Gabi Kanichowsky’s free kick was cleared. Mishpati pulled two stunning saves in the space of two minutes as he managed to turn David Miculesco’s close range header over the bar on 55. A minute later the Maccabi custodian was at full stretch to push out Adrian Sut’s dipping header that was making its way in. Five minutes after the hour mark Zarko Lazetic made his first change as he introduced both Dan Biton and Matan Hozez for Cohen and Zahavi.
Steaua almost hit back as Baluta found himself deep inside Maccabi’s box but curled his effort wide. In the 70th minute however Lazetic’s substitution paid off as Addo dribbled into the area and before his shot was saved by the keeper only for Biton to pounce on the rebound and slot home the opener. Addo pulled a muscle, limped off and was replaced by Matan Baltaxa before the restart. In the 75th minute the hosts were back in the game as Joyskim Dawa rose high above Maccabi’s defense to guide his header past Mishpati and level the score. Steau almost scored a second two minutes later but somehow their striker dragged his shot wide. Lazetic made another change in the 80th minute as Saied Abu Farchi replaced Asante for the closing stages. Maccabi will go into next week’s Champions League 2nd qualifying round return leg in Budapest knowing that a victory will see them through to the next round.
