Category: First Team
Bitton: “We are committed to focus on football”
The veteran central defender spoke to the Danish media ahead of the Europa League phase MD2 against FC Midtjylland in Belgrade, about the feeling as a player in view of the current situation which forced Maccabi to host matches away from home. Watch
Watch: Zarko Lazetic on the preparations for FC Midtjylland
On the eve of the Europa League MD2 home match against FC Midtjylland, Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic spoke of the Danish Champions his side hosts at the Partizan stadium in Belgrade. “We are a good team that will try make the small corrections from our last match against Sporting Braga in an attempt to show our best ability”
The camera lens: Maccabi prepare for FC Midtjylland
Time travel: the victory over HJK at Bloomfield
The players with an emotional greeting for the New Year
What a year have we been through.
A Complex and challenging year
A year where we were all in pain
One we prayed and keep on praying.
We got excited when we could,
We achieved, and dedicated moments.
We wish ourselves a better and more peaceful year,
A year of achievements and titles.
But most importantly,
We wish that everyone returns home safely, healthy
And as soon as possible.
Happy New Year
Rosh Hashana in Belgrade: Maccabi travelled ahead of Midtjylland
Maccabi Tel Aviv jetted out to Serbia ahead of the Europa league MD2 home match against Danish side FC Midtjylland at the Partizan stadium in Belgrade.
Following last week’s dramatic late defeat away to Sporting Braga on MD1, Zarko Lazetic and his players will try celebrate the Jewish New Year by recording their first EUROPA League phase victory of the campaign.
The team are expected to land in Belgrade shortly before holding their pre-match Press Conference and final training session at the stadium.
Nachmias: “Every match like this is a lesson”
Idan Nachmais opened his account for the 2024/25 season with a volley in the 31st minute against Ironi Tiberias at Bloomfield but the 27-year-old defender was in no mood for celebrations at the end of the draw against the newly promoted side. “We didn’t look good enough and didn’t bring what we wanted to bring” he said, “Every match is a lesson. I am sure the coach will analyze things and find where we can improve and be better.”
Nachmias, who dedicated the goal to his boyhood friend who fell in action last year, said: “Obviously I was happy to score, to help the team and dedicate the goal to a friend of mine Shai Termin RIP. I am glad I could give the family and close friends a little bit of joy and place a smile on their faces.”
As the match was played behind closed following the restrictions of the Home Front Command, Nachmias said on playing in front of an empty stadium: “The fans always give us a significant push, especially at Bloomfield, but there are no excuses. We must win every match especially at home. Every match is a lesson and we will learn from it for the future.”
Lazetic’s summary of the 1-1 draw with Tiberias
Nachmias: “We would like to continue the momentum”
Idan Nachmias was an unused substitute in Thursday’s Europa League dramatic late 2-1 defeat away to Sporting Braga. But from the bench, the 27-year-old defender who has been playing as a full back, remained adamant the team is ready for the tight fixture schedule. “We knew all along this is what we should expect this season” he said. “Once we secured qualification to the league phase, we knew to expect this overload but do everything to be ready for every match.”
Despite remaining in the bench, Nachmias, had a good view of his teammates let an 88th minute lead slip but remained positive: “Although I didn’t play, but I enjoyed watching the team from the sidelines as everyone battled and gave everything. Sometimes you win in the 90th minute and sometimes you lose but there were many positive things. We move on and look forward.”
On the transition between matches in Europe to the domestic league, Machmias added: “In my opinion it could only help us especially if we show up play like we know how to and win. This is the best remedy.”
On the way in which the foreign players and the rest of the team are coping with a complex situation of playing during war-time, Nachmias said: “The foreigners seem fine especially as the situation at the center of Israel for the moment doesn’t appear too stressful. Regardless we are all here with them. But the situation is not just stressful for the foreign players but also for our families as my brother is serving on the northern border with Lebanon. So this situation can encounter everyone on a more direct and personal level. One has to just detach himself because this is our profession which is what we are paid to do” he added. “We would like to win every match, win the championship and as many titles as possible. So we should be prepared for every match or challenge.”
Ahead of the switch from Europe to a match against newly promoted side Tiberias, Nachmias said: “We are used to this kind of transition as this is not our first year of playing abroad on Thursdays and in the league on Sundays. For the moment, the match against Tiberias is the most important thing in the world as we would like to continue the momentum we have in the league”.
