Preview:
Four days after beating Hapoel Be’ersheva 1-0 Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD1 rescheduled WINNER league match against Hapoel Jerusalem.
Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, made no less than seven changes from the side that won on Saturday. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati and Raz Shlomo were the only two members of Maccabi’s defense to keep their place in the starting line-up. New signing Nemanja Stojic who made his debut appearance as a second half substitute on Saturday, partnered Shlomo at the heart of defense to make his first start. Roy Revivo on the left and Idan Nachmias at right-back completed Maccabi’s back-four with Nachmias replacing Sagiv Jehezkel who underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone which would sideline him from several weeks.
Joris van Overeem returned to the anchorman role, with Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz, the two other players who started on against Be’ersheva, completed Maccabi’s midfield trio. Hisham Layous was named by Lazetic on one wing, with Brazilian winger, Wesley Patati handed his debut appearance in Maccabi’s colors on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi who just like Patati was an unused substitute against Be’ersheva led the line and team out wearing the captain’s armband.
On the bench Lazetic named Ofek Melika, Tyrese Asante, Dor Turgeman, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar, Nir Bitton and Osher Davida.
Prior to kick Maccabi paid tribute to Matan Hozez who left the club to join Hapoel Jerusalem earlier this season having won 6 titles and scoring 11 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions.
First Half
The early kick off match had an effect on the fans who gradually trickled into Bloomfield stadium but it seemed to have effected Maccabi’s players took their time to dominate. Four minutes into the game, new Brazilian signing, Wesley Patati, could have celebrated his Maccabi debut with a goal as he stepped up to take a free kick from near the byline. Maccabi’s players lined up in the box but Patati had something else on his mind as he sent a dipping cross that was tipped over the crossbar by Jerusalem goalkeeper Nadav Zamir. Two minutes later, Idan Nachmias, who normally causes a threat from set pieces, reacted first to a loose ball and fired it towards goal only for Zamir to equall the shot. Eran Zahavi, who led Maccabi’s attack, had an effort blocked on the edge of the area by a Jerusalem defender as did Patati minutes later.
The visitors came close in the 20th minute as Jelle Duin managed to ghost through Maccabi’s defense to reach a free kick in the middle of the area. But with only Roi Mishpati to beat, Duin, miscued his effort straight at the keeper. The thought of conceding must have shaken Maccabi’s players as they reached their best chance so far on 25. An exchange of passes deep inside Jerusalem’s half so Joris van Overeem tee up Dor Peretz whose powerful shot was saved by Zamir who was quick on his feet to keep out Gabi Kanichowsky’s rebound as well.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute with Roy Revivo opening his account for the season. Layous who kept tormenting Jerusalem’s defenders raced for a lost cause before cutting the ball back for Kanichowsky who carved the visitors’ defense to release Revivo. The left back cut inside and with his less dominant right foot buried the ball in the bottom near corner.
Second half:
Raz Shlomo who felt his hamstring in the first half but stayed on, was replaced at the restart by Tyrese Asante. Van Overeem was booked by referee David Fuxman who also cautioned Nemanja Stojic shortly after. Jerusalem were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute after Yao Eloge was booked for a foul and picked another for dissent after clapping to protest the initial decision.
Lazetic reacted as he made his second change of the game introducing Elad Madmon for Layous who bowed out to a standing ovation on 67. Patati had a powerful shot saved by Zamir as the ball was making its way in. Despite their numerical disadvantage Jerusalem continued to try catch Maccabi off guard in transition. A last gasp Kanichowsky tackle ended one of these counter attacks as Maccabi’s defense was almost caught on 75. Lazetic reacted with a double substitution as Osher Davida for Patati and Dor Turgeman for Zahavi sending in fresh legs for the closing stages.
In the 84th minute Jerusalem were back on level terms as an early free kick saw Ohad Almagor send a low cross which was blasted home by Yonatan Laish. Stojic almost restored Maccabi’s lead a minute later as his right foot shot form outside the area sailed to the wrong side of the post. Seconds after the fourth official indicated 7 minutes of added time, Mishpati was at fill stretch to push Hozez’s left foot shot over the bar.
Three minutes inside injury time Maccabi were back in front at the end of a spectacular team effort as Revivo turned provider as he broke down the left and sent a square ball across the face of goal. With no Maccabi player able to tuck the ball home, Davida pouned on it at the far post to score the winner. Issouf Sissokho came on for Dor Peretz shortly before the final whistle ended the contest.
