Category: Match day program EN

In Short: Jose Rodriguez in his First Interview

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Jose Rodriguez, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s brand new 22 year old midfielder gave his first interview to the Official Website and spoke about his goals with Maccabi plus how influential Head Coach Jordi Cruyff was in his release from Mainz:

“I had a number of offers but Mainz wouldn’t agree to release me. However, Jordi was the one who was able to convince them to let me come to Maccabi. It wasn’t a financial reason but more of the style of football that Maccabi plays.”

Controlling the ball:
“From the minute I arrived, everyone told me that Maccabi plays the same style as they do in Spain. This is because of Jordi’s philosophy and I’m a player that likes to control the ball. When I spoke to Jordi he said that I was exactly the type of player he was looking for because when I don’t have the ball I am always trying to get it back since my main quality is to control the ball.”

Time at Real Madrid:
“I played for Real Madrid when I was very young and even though I wasn’t able to play many minutes, I was with the best players in the world. It was a very important experience for me.”

The upcoming season:
“This is a very important season for me. I played for Malaga over the last few months and this will be a crucial month for me. I’ll give everything that I have for the club and I’ll leave everything on the pitch, every single match.”

Style of play:
“I’m a much more technical rather than physical player, but when I played in Germany I added the physical element to my game.”

Goals:
“It’s very important for me to play this season as much as possible. It’s been two years since Maccabi last won the championship so this will be a good year to win the league title and the cup and of course to play well in the Europa League Group Stages. At the end of the day, if we win I’ll become an even better player.”

Nick Blackman’s Fabulous Five

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Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
“He was a massive keeper for one of the biggest clubs, Manchester United. I remember their Treble season and he was a huge part of it. Schmeichel was also a physically imposing keeper and was able to get to almost every ball. He was able to “win” many matches for United.”

Defender: Rio Ferdinand
“I was able to see him “live” and in my opinion he was an amazing central defender. At his peak he was so quick and strong along with having great technique. I believe that the combination of all of those skills made him into a fantastic player.”

Defensive midfielder: Patrick Vieira
“He is one of the players I remember the most from my youth. He was physically excellent, strong, fast and he played for the legendary Arsenal team that won the Double and ended the season without a loss which in England is something very special and very difficult to achieve.”

Photo: Arsenal.com ()

Attacking midfielder: Leo Messi
“I have to put Messi on this list. He has to be on my team even though this is not always his position. In my opinion, he is the greatest player in history and he has so many amazing qualities. He was part of the great Barcelona teams and won everything with them. There’s no question that I would pick him.”

Striker: Thierry Henry/Ronaldo (Brazil)
“This was tough so I’m going to pick two strikers. They are both my gods. I was happy to meet both of them and that was an experience in itself. In fact, I was able to talk to Henry for quite some time and it was great to learn from somebody like him. They were both fantastic players and they dominated football when they were at the top of their game. They are very similar players and they had all of the qualities that are required of a striker. Ronaldo was able to accomplish so much at a young age. He was able to dribble so well but in Henry’s case it was his speed and quickness. He was just so fast and strong for the defenses that he faced.”

Photo: Arsenal.com ()

Guillermo Israilevich: “The best period was when I was at Maccabi”

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Tonight, Maccabi Tel Aviv plays a crucial match against Altach for a ticket to the Europa League Group Stages. Guillermo Israilevich took part in the experience when he played for the Yellow & Blue between 2008-2012 and made history helping the Club advance to the Europa League Group Stages in 2011/12 – for the first time ever.

Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced that season by defeating Panathinaikos 3:0 in Israel while losing 2:1 in Athens as Israilevich and his teammates made it into the competition. Just ahead of the match against the Austrians, we picked up the phone and called the 34 year old now living in Argentina who still has a warm spot in his heart for Israel, to take a trip down memory lane. During the conversation we found out that even though he may have left Maccabi, Maccabi has never left him.

Hi Guillermo! What are you up to these days?
“I am living in Santa Fe, Argentina. I retired two and half years ago after playing in the second division for Boca Unidos. Unfortunately, I was injured in one of the matches and I ripped apart my ankle and I couldn’t return and play at a professional level. It was not a simple injury.”

Do you still follow Maccabi?
“Up until a year ago I was very up to date. I know what is going on in the Israeli league, that Maccabi won three league titles in a row and I also heard that Sheran Yeini came back to the club since we are still friends and are in touch. I know that Maor Bozaglo was playing for Beer Sheva as I have been most interested in where my former teammates are today. I occasionally speak to Yoav Ziv since he is also a good friend of mine and I heard that he is now the club manager. He is a terrific guy and I’m sure he will do great in that role.”

What do you remember about the match against Panathinaikos?
“I never expected something like that. We thought that maybe we could win 1:0 and not give up a goal at home, so even they were shocked from the outcome. On paper they were thought to be a better side, so we made it our mission not to give up a goal in order for the tie not to be more difficult down the road.”

How do you prepare for a match like that?
“Advancing to a tournament like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of the players. We made history being the first team to make it to the competition and we had that in our heads before the contest. We felt good beforehand and weren’t nervous. I recall that we were in a really good mood all week prior to the match and like I said, you don’t have many chances to play in such games.”

Who do you or what do you miss the most about Maccabi?
“I was in touch with everyone but mostly with Yoav Ziv, Reef Peretz and Tom Menasherov. We were always hanging out together. We played a lot of Backgammon before and after training sessions. Once I really learned the game I was the best, but I must admit that Yoav was better than everyone beforehand.”

Have you kept in touch with players from other clubs from the time you were in Israel?
“The truth is no. The time I spent at Kfar Saba and Maccabi Haifa was good but the period when I was at Maccabi was the best for me in Israel and not just because of the football but everything. It’s not that I wasn’t happy at the other clubs but it was just the best at Maccabi Tel Aviv. I really miss it as does my wife and family. I occasionally come to visit. I miss it a lot. It was a place that I was very happy.”

What do you think about Maccabi over the past few seasons?
“They have done an amazing job. When I arrived at Maccabi there were some issues as the owner had just left and a new owner had just taken over the club. One season before I came the club almost was relegated as there was so much going on. They changed a lot of players and that took time. I am very happy that they have done well. When I left, Jordi Cruyff arrived and he has done a phenomenal job. It’s not simple to do these things at a football club.

Do you have a message for the fans?
“Most importantly I have to say thank you, I know that they remember me as I occasionally receive messages from them. Maccabi fans are something very special and I’m not just saying that because you called me from Maccabi. They were the best fans from any of the clubs I played for. Haifa, Nazareth who didn’t have many fans, Kfar Saba who were good, but there is nothing like Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to play there. I had an option to go to other clubs but I am very happy that I chose the Yellow & Blue. Even when there were issues, the fans were always there.”

Open your heart: Helping the needy for the Holidays

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How many times have you said that Maccabi is more than a Club? And how often do you think about how you, the Yellow & Blue family can make a difference? The Maccabi Foundation wants to take that positive energy and help those in need. As we approach Rosh Hashana it’s now our chance together as Maccabi to aid those who are less fortunate.

This is your opportunity to join the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and Achim L’Semel to help those in need as we approach the Holiday.

How can you help? Donate a food package for 30, 50 or 100 NIS via the Online Shop that will be delivered in time for the Holiday by CLICKING HERE.

On Sunday September 17th between 16:00-21:00 we will be packing the food boxes at Kiryat Shalom and the whole Maccabi Community is invited to take part in this important activity. Come one, come all as there will also be plenty of surprises!

Yeini: “It infuriates me when they say that another team is better than us”

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Sheran Yeini, The Yellow & Blue Captain joined host Lior Timor on the latest episode of Maccabi-Cast as the veteran spoke all about what to expect from Maccabi this coming season and began by looking at Matchday 1 opponent Beitar Jerusalem:

“It’s just another match, but it’s not just another match. Of course, it’s the first league match and we want to take maximum points and it’s very important not to drop any points especially at the start of the season when we want to set the tone for the campaign to come. So it’s very important for us. It will be the 16th match and we are already rolling with the season, so it’s not really our first match as we’ve already had that. But we are expecting a tough game from Beitar Jerusalem and a team that has caused us plenty of issues over the past few seasons. So we will have to be very focussed and rest properly before the match after a challenging trip away in Austria.”

More on Beitar:
“Beitar is always a tough club for us to play against and after the match in Austria we began to focus on them. So it’s important that we get proper rest after the flight and get physically prepared for the match. We are preparing for a tough contest as they have a lethal attack and we have to be focussed and ready for them.”

Expectations from Maccabi this season:
“A Maccabi who will be tough to play against and will give up few chances. A Maccabi that every player will come to work hard for and where there are no players who place themselves above the team. A club that has teammates who will give everything they have and support one another. This is the Maccabi the fans will see this season.”

Goals:
“Every time you finish second or say that another club is better than us, then that is something that infuriates me and is very hard for me to hear. That is something that we want to change. We are working to be in first place.”

Position Yeini will play this campaign:
“I grew up playing as a midfielder and I enjoy filling that role. I am playing more of a defensive position and my job is to stay back and steal the ball or stop counter attacks. So it’s a role where there is more balance and defense. I will do what I have to for the club and what Jordi asks me to do. I want to improve my play, be it trying to distribute the ball better from a defensive position and I am excited for this challenge. I’m enjoying it and I know that you haven’t seen me in this role at Maccabi for a long time. They were happy and satisfied with me in Holland and I hope that will be the case here in Israel.”

More about the role on the pitch:
“I am working on stopping the counter attacks with the two central defenders and to make sure the players also know where to position themselves and how to get to the ball. There are some cases like against Panionios in Greece where I had to mark a specific player to make sure he couldn’t score.”

About playing for Coach Jordi Cruyff:
“It’s such a treat to work with Jordi. He understands us and takes us to heart. But he also demands a lot from us and demands very high standards. He won’t accept a second rate effort from us and we have to give everything we have. In turn, the staff is giving us a tremendous amount of support and it’s a great combination and cooperation.”

Improving this season:
“We have to be tougher, together and play like men. Not just defensively but knowing what to do with the ball in front of the goal, or to make the right pass. To be confident, aggressive, tackle and to win the first or second ball and of course the 50/50 balls. We have to improve and work on all of that.”

Final thoughts:
“I want to win it all, whether it’s the State Cup, the League, the Toto Cup or the Champions Cup. Everything.”

CEO Ben Mansford Opens The Season

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Welcome to our first league match of the season against Beitar Jerusalem. It is a pleasure to be writing these notes as the CEO of the most successful football club in Israel. I thank Mitch Goldhar for the opportunity to become a part of the Yellow and Blue army. I am looking forward to working closely with Mitch and Jordi Cruyff in his new role of Head Coach and doing all we can to bring silverware to Maccabi this season and beyond.

As part of the process that saw me join Maccabi, I went to spend some time with Mitch. I asked him what he wanted from his involvement with Maccabi and he explained that he wanted Maccabi to be the best in Israel, both in terms of winning titles and as a commercial organization as well as being a recognized force on the European stage every season. It was abundantly clear to me that Mitch is a winner, cares passionately about Maccabi and is committed to Maccabi working closely with the local community. Mitch values work ethic, selflessness, things being done properly with thought and care without cutting corners. Mitch expects and demands that the Club is put foremost when making decisions. All these expectations resonate with me. I am determined to fulfill and hopefully exceed these with the help of everyone connected to Maccabi and the supporters.

The game on Thursday was a performance of a team. A performance where everyone played their part and it resulted in an important win. We have already played 7 matches in Europe and 4 in the Toto Cup. The summer was a relatively short one for the players, especially those who have been on International duty but I believe you have already seen how committed this group is. I thought the dedication and professionalism of the team was highlighted in the second leg in Athens against Panionios, when under strong pressure from the home team and fans, the team stuck to their task, won the game and qualified for the next round. These early games have also given chances to the younger players such as Dor and Eliel Peretz, Yonathan Cohen, Sagiv Yehezkel, Sean Goldberg and Daniel Tenenbaum. It was also exciting to see Eden Kartzev and Fadi Najar make their Maccabi senior debuts last week against Hapoel Raanana.

We have added quality to the squad to date with the likes of Omer Azili, Ophir Davidzada, Matan Baltaxa, Cristian Battocchio, Tino Susic and Nick Blackman as well as retaining Barak Itzhaki and the evergreen Yuval Shpungin and Tal Ben Haim. We have also extended the contracts of young talents such as Mavis Tchibota, who continue to develop while on loan. We are working very hard to continue to add quality to the squad. Mitch is firmly committed to the Club and ensuring we have the best possible squad for the season ahead. Mitch, Jordi and I are working together to ensure that we identify the right players who will make the group stronger and that will give you a team to be proud of. I am confident that we will add a number of further signings before the transfer window closes. You will read about all the confirmed news on our website and Application first.

Off the field, the staff at the offices have been working just as hard. We have sold over 10,000 season tickets. The own brand new jersey is proving popular and the training range has been well received. The commercial team have been working closely with our existing sponsors and attracting new ones and this season will see us have an unrivalled family of leading companies working with the Club and truly behind us as we push for success on the field. I would like to take this opportunity to thank HP, Hisense, Nivea, Kopell Group, Fritz, Issta Sport, Eurodrive, Pizza Prego and Ibbls for their support as we begin the new season.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation continues to go from strength to strength. It is hugely rewarding to see the good work the Club and the Players do in the community. Mitch is very passionate about this and I am sure we will continue to do more and more over the course of the next few seasons.

Finally, I would like to thank you, our amazing supporters. I have been made to feel very welcome by all of you I had the opportunity to meet thus far. The passion and noise I have witnessed so far has been superb. I can only imagine what the noise would be like when we kick off the game this evening. You have supported the Club again in huge numbers. Everyone at the Club, especially the Players and Staff truly value your support. We also look forward to seeing all of you back here on Thursday to roar the Players to victory.

We might not win every match but I believe you’ve got a Head Coach, Staff and Players that will give you everything and if they don’t win, they’ll leave everything out there on the pitch. We will only succeed if we are united from top to bottom and we work as one cohesive team from the Boardroom to the Stands. I know we are that team and I know you will be the proverbial 12th man for the season ahead. Thank you again.

Yalla Maccabi!