Donis: "Very pleased with the character the players displayed" Israel today

The Maccabi Tel Aviv coach complimented his players on the makeover they made in 1: 2 over Sibaspur and said: "Hopefully step by step we will build our confidence.

Now we must prepare for Maccabi Haifa, after that we will think about Villarreal "

• The Yellows are celebrating the end of the victory in Turkey

  Photography: 

  AP

• Donis, tonight at Civas.

  Satisfied with the players

  Photography: 

  AP

Maccabi Tel Aviv recorded an impressive away victory tonight (Thursday), 1: 2 over Sibaspur in Turkey and clung to Villarreal at the top of the Europa League's ninth table.

"The result tonight is a great result," coach Giorgos Donis explained at the end of the game.

"I think in most of the game we played with confidence. The game was very balanced. We did not allow the opponent to create a lot of situations. I think in the second half we had more confidence in moving the ball. We made one mistake at the beginning of the half and they took the lead. "It was good for us. After 20 minutes in the second half the opponent naturally put more pressure on us. But in the end I am very happy with the result and I am very happy with the performance. It is a good result for us to build confidence in the away games as well."

Donis went on to compliment the players, saying: "I am very pleased with the character the players displayed and also the ability in the second half. However we have a lot of work to do and a long process to present what I expect us to represent."

On the ability differences between the two halves, the coach said: "Our players are not yet in the best shape. It is natural given the situation and the fact that we have not played a lot of official games lately. Some players are more fit and others with less. The fitness of the team. "

Next Thursday, Maccabi will play an away game against Villarreal, but before that they will meet Maccabi Haifa on Monday.

"Now we must only think about Maccabi Haifa," Donis explained.

"It's a very big game for us. We have to be focused and prepare properly for this game and only after that will we think about Villarreal."