The ability is not quite there yet, but the points are accumulated: Maccabi Tel Aviv last night (Monday) connected its third victory in a row this season, when it defeated Maccabi Petah Tikva 0: 1, stabilized in second place – with the gap from the leader Maccabi Haifa remaining 8 points.
The Yellows, who played in white yesterday, have maintained stability – especially on defense, but know that offensive accuracy will have to improve over time. “The team looks connected, and knows what it wants from itself,” the club said. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but there is also a big difference from the Donis era. Every victory increases confidence, and the direction is very positive.” Summarized there.
Whoever was the hero of the game, without a doubt, was Eden Kartzev – who came in as a substitute in place of Dan Glazer at the break, provided an excellent half and also scored the winning goal. After a difficult period under Yorgos Donis, in which he was erased from the rotation (despite the spectacular goal against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League) – the change in the coaching position, and the arrival of Patrick van Leven who knows him well from the young divisions of Maccabi Tel Aviv, changed the status. For matters in the Tel Aviv derby, and this time he received the trust in the place of a wounded Glazer – an opportunity he took with both feet.
In the team, we praised Karzev and said: “You see how much experience he has in the Premier League, his offensive part is balanced with the defensive. He got the opportunity and he took it.” Following Glazer’s troublesome injury to his abdominal muscles, which will require an immediate rest, Kartzev may also start in the upcoming league game – on Thursday against Bnei Yehuda, as part of the 15th round. Shahar Phiben and Eyal Golsa also received compliments for their ability, with the latter standing out especially with the help of the ball saves.
At the same time, Maccabi Tel Aviv is of course working on strengthening – with the main one being Andre Geralds, who is expected to sign a second term at the club in the coming days. The key figure in his apparent bringing is the CEO, Barak Yitzhaki, who exerted great pressure to close the deal.
After the injuries of Maor Kandil and Ben Bitton, there was a great need for Maccabi to upgrade the position of right defender – and Geralds, naturally, knows Maccabi well since he played there all last season, along with most of the staff who play in it today. The Portuguese, who will be released from Epoal Nicosia, is expected to land in the country by the end of the week and will officially sign. Ben Bitton, who arrived on loan from Hapoel Beer Sheva, is due to be released following the signing and move to Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Now, the question arises as to who else will come alongside the intriguing acquisition in the form of Geralds: on the agenda is still the name of Eran Zehavi, who has not yet received an official offer, and possibly another player for the offensive link.
