The last time I wrote about the beginning of the Patrick van Leven era, after the 0-0 draw against Bnei Yehuda almost a round ago, I argued that Maccabi Tel Aviv would have a hard time catching up if the Dutchman did not choose one of two options: purchase or diversity. , But diversity came. And how. One that is worth an amazing balance of 37 points out of a possible 39. Precisely when Jonathan Cohen and Alexander Peshich are missing, it proved itself.
It also turned out that contrary to the prevailing opinion of him as too conservative, and what was done in the youth department of Maccabi Tel Aviv where very basic foundations and regular movements are repeated from a young age, Van Leven turned out to be a more diverse coach in seniors. , Lawsuits and a number of additional tools in the Maccabi Tel Aviv game compared to the beginning of his career.
How it manifests itself? First of all the players of his line started to change wings and also play with an opposite foot to the line where they are playing, thus clearing the area for the defenders. Matan Hozaz and Tal Ben Haim have become much more significant, sometimes being spaced out and sometimes going into the middle (Elon Almog, Dan Bitton and Eduardo have not been intense enough at the moment to become car players).
Beyond that, a very significant element is that the middle ties (Dor Peretz, Eyal Golsa, Avi Rikan) go much deeper, into the extension, and are not satisfied with just exchanging places in the middle. All three have already scored 10 goals from these positions together.
It is true that there is a lack of creativity in the link center of Maccabi Tel Aviv (players of the smart strip, special dribble) so under Van Leven the game goes to the wings and from there the wide openings of those midfielders cause a mess in the defenses.
When it all comes down to two principles that did not exist in the Donis era, it begins to resemble the days of Ivica. First of all defensive. A game of pressure, order and organization that requires gray and Sisyphean work. Second, Van Leven’s demands and toughness in front of a staff where anyone can get minutes if he proves himself. From soaking wine to dragging. Everyone believes in their ability to get minutes and make an impact if they give the extra every practice and every game.
The home model of this improvement is Dor Peretz. The Passon. The power. The intensity. All this is reflected when the game is more defensively organized and there are crosses from the wings systematically and he knows how to identify the situation and join at the right time. His four expatriates are mostly with the head, after joining the plaza. On the defensive level he extracts and influences much more when there is an orderly and organized pressure game.
So suddenly Maccabi Tel Aviv closes a huge gap from Maccabi Haifa, winning even when it rotates, not trying to be nice and beautiful, but to be physical, tough, intense, winning. What it has been since Jordi Cruyff built the foundations.
The championship is far from decisive, but at the moment Van Leven has returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv its DNA that was built from the moment Goldhaar took over the club. It is worth first place. A reversal.
