Category: Match day program EN

Stats Talk: Maccabi Netanya

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As we enter Matchday 17, Macabi Netanya has scored the second most goals in the league as Slobodan Drapic’s team have found the back of the goal 30 times. Only Beitar has more with 38 markers.

Dia Saba and Eran Levy shoot at every chance
Maccabi is the club that takes the most attempts on goal with 16.2 per match while Netanya finds themselves right behind them in second place with 15.8. However, Drapic’s side has more attempts on target with 6.8 per match while Maccabi stands at 5.7.

One of the most interesting statistics in regards to Netanya is the following: The two players who have taken the most shots are Eran Levy and Dia Saba. The former has taken 70 attempts with 29 on target while the latter has made 59 attempts with 28 being accurate on target. Saba in fact has 14 league goals, meaning that 50% of his attempts on target find their way behind the opposing keeper. Shoval Gozlan from Kiryat Shemona is in third place with 50 shots while 15 of them were on target.

Another category that Netanya “excels” in is fouls with 15.1 per match good for 2nd place just behind Hapoel Acre who have 15.4. Defensive midfielder Nico Olsak is giving Khaled Khalaila a battle for the most fouls this campaign as both of them sport 40 a piece.

Fewer crosses, more key passes
Netanya is known to push the ball forward and play direct football while not controlling the ball for lengthy periods of time. Using a diamond formation in the middle of the pitch is why there are fewer crosses from the wings. Along with Beitar Jerusalem, the Diamond City side has the fewest accurate crosses with 1.6 per match. In general, Netanya has the fewest amount of crosses with an average of 12 per contest.

On the other hand, Netanya has the most key passes which is one of the most significant categories in modern football. A key pass is one that puts a player in a position to score or sends a player past the defensive line and into open space. Netanya makes 20 key passes a match with 8 hitting their intended targets. Only Maccabi Tel Aviv makes more accurate passes with 9 per match.

Saba’s dream season
Dia Saba’s having an amazing season from a statistical point of view. Not only is Saba leading the league in goals with 14 but he has also assisted on three as well. He is also in second place in the league with 70 key passes, 35 of which being accurate. Eran Levy finds himself in third place with 70 key passes while 24 made it to their intended address.

On the defensive side it’s worth paying attention to central defender Branco Vrgoc who has been involved in the most tackles in the league winning 152 of 214. He also has 11 interceptions per 90 minutes putting him amongst the leaders in that category.

WATCH: Maccabi’s State Cup First Round Magical Moments

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2001/02: Tzafririm Holon – Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:1 (6:5 penalties)
The season may have ended with a Yellow & Blue State Cup title, but it could have ended in their first match against the second division side. Maccabi took the lead but Holon drew even in a contest that headed to penalties where a young Tal Ben Haim scored a spot kick.

2005/06: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva 3:1
This campaign also saw Maccabi take home the State Cup and this was the match that began the journey. Despite being knotted up at 1:1, the Yellow & Blue found a way to defeat the southern club via a couple of unforgettable goals.

 2006/07: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan 2:1
Ori Malmilian’s club arrived at Bloomfield Stadium with very low expectations, but a Dan Roman screamer gave them the lead. Avi Yehiel found the back of the goal for Maccabi but the Yellow & Blue couldn’t avoid extra time which saw Avi Nimni miss a penalty while their rival missed on their end as well. All the action led to a 119th minute special by Giovanni Rosso who took the bull by the horns to help Maccabi advance to the next round.

מכבי ת”א -הכח עמידר ר”ג 1:2

Fabulous Five: Aaron Schoenfeld

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Keeper: Gianluigi Buffon
“He was the first keeper that I loved watching as a child. I always remember him playing in the World Cup or a big tournament. He’s one of the greatest and I’ve been following him for 20 years.”

Defender: Sergio Ramos
“He’s another player that I’ve been enamored with from a very young age. Although he’s a central defender, he has always been able to score some big goals. He plays with a lot of passion, battles to the end and leaves everything on the pitch for his club and for his national team and I really respect and admire him for that.” 

Defensive midfielder: Claude Makelele
“He may not be a popular choice, but Makelele was the first defensive midfielder that I enjoyed watching play and I believe he changed the game of football. He won so many tackles and covered so much space, he made the game so much easier for his teammates.”

Attacking midfielder: Kaka
“He was the last player who won the Ballon d’Or prior to the Messi and Ronaldo era. I was also lucky enough to play against him in the MLS. He was big, about my size, but his ability to move the ball so quickly was phenomenal. Kaka was a great player and I remember when he helped Milan win the Champions League almost singlehandedly.”

Striker: Dimitar Berbatov
“It was always fun watching him play and he made everything look so easy. He wasn’t an amazing athlete but his ability with the ball was simply fantastic. He was always smarter than his opponent. He was also big but his touch was terrific and like I said he was just so much fun to watch.”

Fabulous Five: José Rodriguez on Real Madrid

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Keeper: Iker Casillas
“Luckily this was the best keeper that I ever had the opportunity to play with. He wasn’t tall, but his instincts were second to none. He is something really special. When a player would take an attempt on the goal, he would know exactly where it was going to go.”

Defender: Sergio Ramos
“There’s no question here. It’s no contest as there’s no one even close to Ramos for me. He’s a terrific central defender both from his qualities on the pitch and to his character and leadership abilities.”

Defensive midfielder: Lassana Diarra
“Casemiro may be a better player but when I played with him he was still young. Diarra was super-aggressive. It was once I began to train with the first team, you could always feel his presence and he pressed so much. Since he did that, he also picked up many red cards.”

Attacking midfielder: Luka Modric
“In my opinion, he’s one of the best players in the history of the game at his position. He’s got it all. He can defend, technique, passing and a shot from long distance. He’s got all the qualities a footballer needs.”

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo
“The truth is I really like Messi, but I just love Ronaldo. He’s the best. Other than the qualities that everyone knows and sees, he’s also got amazing ambition and he wants more and more and more.”