Tag: maccabi

Colautti: “I’m very thankful for the career that I had”

Posted on

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Roberto Colautti recently retired and settled in Düsseldorf, Germany after an illustrious playing career that saw him score over 100 goals in Israel, Argentina, Germany and Cyprus between the years of 2000-2015. Colautti appeared in 71 games for the Yellow-and-Blue scoring 20 goals between 2010-3013 before heading off to finish his career in Cyprus at Anorthosis and AEK Larnaca. The Israeli International had a chance to sit down and speak with the club’s Official Website about his playing career, Maccabi Tel Aviv, youth development in Israel as well as the upcoming Israel National Team matches:

You’re recently retired from the game of football:

“I retired on my birthday. It was not an easy decision but on the other hand with everything I had been though it was a natural process. Every player has his time and MTA__1341246283_דרבי121I was nearing my end. How much more could I push myself to continue. My battery was done and I said enough. I’m happy and I’m very thankful for the career that I had.”

Have you been following Maccabi:

“Of course, I do all the time. It was a bit harder in Cyprus, but I was able to keep tabs on them and I’m in touch with some of the players.”

You played with Maccabi when changes started to occur under owner Mitch Goldhar:

“It’s terrific to see what’s going on. It’s an amazing accomplishment when you begin with something at zero and you reach a goal. There’s nothing better than that and Maccabi Tel Aviv did it. No one believed that it could be done but when one person came along with a goal in sight and clear focus he was able to do it, and look where they are now.”

On the current edition Maccabi Tel Aviv:

“In the Champions League you play against the best teams in the world. But now there is nothing more that Maccabi can do. They have achieved the most out of what they have. If they want to be one of the top teams and really be considered one of the best clubs in Europe they have to do some totally different things. They may need more than five foreign players, a bigger budget and also more investment in the youth department. However, they are really working on it now. There will be more of a connection between the first team and the youth clubs and you will see some of the differences in 3-5 years from now.”

Thoughts on the current state of Israeli football:

“I always thought that the youth clubs are very important. A lot more needs to be MTA__1340039919_Hug_Colautiinvested into the youth. If you bring in people that understand the youth and know how to train and to totally upgrade the system you could see a huge difference in 4-6 years. I’m talking about all of the clubs here, where they should invest more in their youth system than the first team. This is the only way to advance and improve the level of the league.”

On his greatest moment in Maccabi Tel Aviv:

“It’s hard for me to just pick out one match as I had a couple of years that were totally catastrophic but then I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I saw it, but I wasn’t there. Now is when the light is shining bright. Sure, there was a goal against Olympiakos, but for me it was seeing the transformation of the club.”

The Maccabi fans will always remember your time with the club:

“I really want to thank the Maccabi supporters so much. I learnt a lot during my time with the club and I’m even happier to know that the supporters still remember me. That really makes me happy.”

Would you come back to play:MTA__1340367967_collauti

“I really don’t think so. I’m happy to be with my family and watch football on TV or at a stadium and of course to say hi.”

The Israel National Team plays Cyprus and Belgium this coming week:

“You have to be optimistic but it won’t be easy. I’m hoping for the best but remember I was part of the National Team so I know what it’s like, it’s not going to be easy. But for sure when Maccabi has 9 players on the team it shows you that things are being done correctly at the club. I wish everyone much success going forward.”

Know your opponent: Hapoel Raanana

Posted on

Haim Silvas’s club made a number of changes this past summer saying goodbye to Tony Nwakaeme and ‘keeper Daniel Lifshitz who came over to Maccabi and welcomed former Yellow-and-Blue striker Barak Badash.

Year Founded: 1972

Stadium: Netanya

Head Coach: Haim Silvas

פרומו: לקראת המפגש מול הפועל רעננה

Players who left: Tony Nwakaeme, Shoval Gozlan, Moshe Abutbol, Yoav Gerafi, Yogev Lehrman, Yakir Shina, Gil Blumenstein, Della Yampolski, Ze’ev Haimovitz, Elis Bakaj, Daniel Lifshitz.

Players who arrived: Yuval Shabtai, Ido Levy, Barak Badash, Ahmed Shacban.

Key Player: Evans Kangwa

_IR_4983The striker, who was third choice behind Mamadou Thiam and Tony Nwakaeme in Haim Silvas’s lineup now takes center stage and has answered the call with two goals in as many games. His counterattack speed is lethal and may cause problems for Slavisa Jokanovic’s defenders.

 Past Encounters:

Maccabi Tel Aviv has played Hapoel Raanana a number of times over the years but their first league matches took place just two years ago when Asher Alon’s team was promoted to Ligat Winner. The Yellow-and-Blue have held the upper hand in the matches between the two sides as one their more memorable wins was a 2:0 victory in Maccabi’s first home match of last season.

Know your opponent: Chelsea FC

Posted on

Maccabi Tel Aviv heads into London to face defending English Premier League Champions Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge on Matchday One of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. Playing against one of the world’s top football clubs would be a challenge not only for the the Yellow-and-Blue but for any other side around the globe.

Josh Halickman had a chance to speak with a number of journalists who cover Chelsea, their flamboyant coach Jose Mourinho, as well as their Belgium players including Eden Hazard.

11838600_10153666254917259_7997275702704832380_o

There’s no question that after a poor start in England, Chelsea will want to come out firing on all cylinders against the Israeli Champions. “I think that at home Chelsea will come out to attack Maccabi and look to score a few goals. They will play an attacking line-up with Matic sitting back and the rest of the midfielders looking to go forward,” Adam Henderson a Scottish freelance sports journalist commented.

“Chelsea usually play 4-2-3-1 and/or 4-3-3 and I’d be surprised to see that change against Maccabi. They’ll perhaps see Maccabi as the weakest team in group but they know that there are no weak sides in the Champions League. Chelsea have made hard work of the so-called easier sides before and they’ll be well guarded against complacency,” says Simon Yaffe a freelance British football journalist. “Mourinho places his trust in a small group of 16-18 players and they form the basis of his squad. I’d be shocked if he didn’t field a very strong starting XI against Maccabi and I believe Chelsea will come into the match at full strength.”

Eden Hazard is one of the most dynamic player in Europe and recognized around the world. Bart Lagae, a journalist for Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium spoke about his country’s superstar, “Hazard is a unique player in Chelsea’s squad and was chosen as the best player in the league by both players and press last year. He has adapted well to the Premier League, with clear improvement in his defensive play thanks to Mourinho.”

887370_10153655254147259_8431028219162485876_oHenderson concurred with his colleague, “Hazard is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world and has the ability to rip teams apart, he’s a huge asset.” Lagae also talked about his top quality skills, “He’s very strong one on one and with his dribbling. However he must improve his long passing and headers. If he ever wants to compete with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, he will need to score more too.”

Lagae also spoke about Hazard staying under the radar, unlike many football superstars, “Hazard is a family man and a father of two. His first child was born when he was only 19 or 20 and he has always preferred to stay out of the limelight with his family and lives a quiet life in South West London.”

Others players on Chelsea are world-class as well, “Nemanja Matic is very important for me because every team needs a top class defensive midfielder to let the attacking players do their thing. I also think Branislav Ivanovic is crucial. He’s a top class defender, always reliable and can chip in with a goal in big matches,” expressed Henderson.

11872229_10153687633072259_2382622909231837248_o

Yaffe chimed in as well, “To me the most important players other than Hazard for Chelsea are certainly John Terry and Matic. The fact that they’ve all started slowly is a big reason as to why Chelsea have been struggling so far this season.”

Since the Yellow-and-Blue are making their first Champions League Group Stage appearance in 11 years, the question of how much preparation and scouting Chelsea has done comes to the forefront. “I’m not sure how much they’ve actually done.” commented Henderson. “ They probably have a rough idea of what kind of game to expect and I’m sure Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has a few connections who know about Israeli football, but I don’t think Mourinho will be obsessing over Maccabi.”

Yaffe was a bit more certain that the London based club has done their homework on Maccabi. “I would imagine Chelsea has done extensive scouting on Maccabi and Mourinho won’t be sending his team in blind. It’s not like Maccabi play in North Korea – they are part of UEFA and won’t be an unknown.”

There’s no question that Maccabi heading to play Chelsea will be a highlight for all fans throughout Israel and the key will be for the Yellow-and-Blue to play attractive football. Could their be an upset in the making at the famed Stamford Bridge? Henderson was optimistic about their chances, “Chelsea supporters have probably read about how Maccabi advanced over Basel and I definitely think they have the ability to cause a few surprises because they are a very talented team, but in Stamford Bridge it won’t be easy.”