We are coming into this match in very good shape. If you’ve seen us play the last few months the players have gotten better and better as they play how I want them to play on the pitch. We were unlucky the last couple of matches against Maccabi Haifa and Sakhnin where we created many chances but couldn’t score. At the end of the day, you must score. That’s the most important part of the game. The players are confident, fit and ready for this game.

There are no mind games in this match where you may start counting points by drawing, winning or losing. The situation here is clear; we must win.

As a child you dream about playing in these games and as a coach, you dream about playing in these types of matches for the title. If you look back at prior years at this same time, Maccabi was five points or seven points ahead. Now we are three points behind and if we win we will be number one in the league. So we have to enjoy these moments.

We as coaches try to do everything for the team, to help prepare them well, tell them how the opponent plays and how we want them to play. But I also believe that we need the fans help as they can give us something extra to win this game. They can do this by standing behind the team and cheering them from the first minute. In football you can make mistakes. But the fans must continue to support us throughout as it will help us in those difficult moments. You can be the X-Factor in this match.

I’ve been here for four months now and in Holland you may bring 500 fans to an away game. Here at Maccabi, it’s amazing how many fans travel to the away games. The atmosphere is amazing and the atmosphere in Bloomfield is tremendous as the whole stadium is full of fanatics. It’s really fantastic. I want to see you all exactly like that this evening.

I can’t remember a playoff like this in many years, especially one that we’ve been involved in. Thrilling, exciting and intense where at the end of the day I believe we’ll have the upper hand.

We have a tremendous amount of desire to keep our championship streak intact. Naturally, this season has been a bit more difficult due to the fact we participated in the Champions League, but it’s also an opportunity to be one of the sweetest years if we can achieve all of our goals.

All season long we’ve been close to the top of the league and within striking distance of first place. Now’s the time to prove who Maccabi really is and that we’re the best.

Our opponent this evening is one who has given us problems all year long in league play. Beitar Jerusalem defeated us at Bloomfield which is something that we are definitely not used to. The match in Teddy ended in a draw and this is the only team that we haven’t been able to beat this season. Beitar is a good club, dynamic and young. Of course, just like all of the younger teams that come and play against us, they want to prove that they can beat us. Just like in any other game, and especially this evening, we must prove to everyone that we are the superior side.

We’re very well aware that the gap between us and Beer Sheva is now just two points from first place following their draw on Saturday, but first and foremost we must turn to ourselves. No, this isn’t a cliche it’s reality. It won’t help us if another club drops points and we don’t take points that we have to as well especially at home. Tonight we have an amazing opportunity. This is the type of match that we have to take upon ourselves and do what needs to be done. From now on, each match will be more difficult than the next but this is the only way now, during the season’s money time that we’ll be able to secure the championship.

We had a rough time last match against Hapoel Raanana and it’s because of you, the fans who cheered us on and rallied us the whole match that we were able to pick up this very important win. In the lockerroom we talked about how all of you helped us achieve the result that we needed in that game and tonight we will need you even more. You give us a tremendous amount of energy and faith and I believe that you’ll also be a huge part of the result that we expect to take home this evening.

Omri

Today, I will once again walk on the Bloomfield pitch. I feel that a lot of time has passed since that great season. I haven’t played football for 11 years and one year passes by the next as time doesn’t stand still. The memories sometimes go through my head. I miss the ball, the stadium and the tension of the game. I’m glad that there are moments that I can embrace and that put a smile on my face.

The 1995/96 season was crazy and there’s no way to explain it to someone who actually didn’t experience it. The prior year we took the title from Maccabi Haifa who may have been better than us but didn’t have the same heart and soul. The next year, the Double Season, we played amazing football and put on quite a show. That Championship was very sweet and we played convincing football throughout the campaign. No fan or player will ever forget that season.

We allowed only 16 goals and that’s not something to sneeze at. The three of us, Gady Brumer who was at my side, Shura Uvarov in goal and myself gave the squad plenty of confidence. There’s no question that winning the Double was a milestone. The year was also crazy for me between Maccabi and the National Team as well as for my personal development as a player. It’s no exaggeration to say that this was an unforgettable season from every angle.

I was very pleased to receive an invitation to the launch of the “Ex-Players Club” that will take place right before Maccabi’s match with Hapoel Raanana. It’s always great to receive recognition for what we had accomplished. There aren’t many Clubs that know how to honor their tradition and it’s a very important issue. Without connecting to the past, there is no future and this is especially important with a football club. There are players from that season that to this day are still venerated by the fans. I’m 45 years old now and occasionally when I’m walking on the street a 30-year old fan will stop me and say that they grew up watching me. It’s a lot of fun to look back at that time.

Maccabi fans, you “fell” into the right team and the right club to be a part of, especially over the past few years. The future of the club is still in front of all of us. Slowly but surely the club is growing bigger and bigger and that’s something we didn’t have due to a variety of factors. My generation ended the championship drought that led to a couple of amazing decades. Today, there is peace and quiet within the club and that is the foundation for success.

See you at Bloomfield!

After having a good run prior to the International break, we’re returning to Bloomfield, looking to continue our fine form. We want to continue where we left off and make sure we finish the year in the best shape as we can.

There’s no easy games in the playoffs. We’ve seen how good Raanana has been the last few matches and they are a team that knows how to defend and attack well. We can’t underestimate them and let our guard down.

When I heard about the “Ex-Players Club” initiative that will get underway this match by honoring the Double Season Team of 1995/96, I was very moved.

I was a young boy that year and in fact many from my generation grew up with the Double Club. I remember being at one of the derbies and I also recall running to listen to the “Songs and Goals” radio show. When Maccabi won it made my week!

This amazing gesture shows how great our Club is and that it doesn’t forget it’s past.