“It was a relatively even match and to concede a goal at such a timing and at this stage is something we can’t allow ourselves” Peretz said. “Even if things didn’t work as well as they should have, we should have still protected our goal as the game was heading for extra time. But we didn’t manage to do it and now we have to draw the conclusions learn from it and move on.”
On the goal Maccabi conceded, Peretz added: “It is too early to explain as I haven’t watched it yet to be able to understand what really happened. We need to all look at it again and see whether we were prepared enough but we didn’t react well and track back. In the Champions League regardless against what opponent you play, one can’t commit such a mistake.”
On the absence of five players who were with the Israel team to the Olympic Games, Peretz said: “We obviously missed them and it does affect as every player in this team is important but on the other hand there are good enough players here to ensure Maccabi shows up in full strength. We didn’t perform today and welcome back the players from the Olympic team with open arms and hope for a better game in the next round.”
