Maccabi Haifa will host Naftachi Baku tomorrow (Thursday) for the rematch in the playoffs of the Conference League.
After 3-3 in the first game in Azerbaijan, the champion needs a minimal victory to advance to the European home stage for the first time since 2014. Such an increase is worth for the club quite a bit of money, about 20 million shekels, not yet audience revenue, if any subject to the corona situation in Israel .
Coach Barak Bachar will return to the squad the players who were rested in the Toto Cup semi-final game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Jose Rodriguez will open at the back link while Charon Sherry, Noble Omar and Dean David will go up at the front.
Also, midfielder Dolev Haziza will return to the squad from disqualification.
"Everyone understands the importance of the game," said coach Barak Bachar.
The audience of Maccabi Haifa.
Bachar urges fans to adhere to procedures // Alan Shiver,
On the large number of goals the defense absorbs, Bachar said: "It changes. We have eight defensive players who can all play at any given moment. I do not think we should just blame the defense and when the whole team does not do it then we will be exposed. When the strikers and midfielders do not do the job "And they come with the face in front of us, so it doesn't matter who the brakes or the defenders are. We will have to correct the mistakes."
On the need to pass Baku and move up to the houses: "We have a tendency here to underestimate teams but they are a good team, dangerous with some talented players and we will have to win."
Bachar was asked about the obligation to wear masks in the stands otherwise the Ministry of Health may close the stadiums to the fans and said: "The Maccabi Haifa crowd not only comes to cheer but keeps the guidelines. We hope to see as many masks in the stands and that means many fans will come. , Come to cheer because in the end without an audience, I will not say that there is no point because we have already done it - but it is not the same "
Regarding the signing of stopper Ofri Arad on a new contract: "I am glad that Ofri signed, in the squad and returned from injury. I have no problem with such headaches and that everyone will be healthy. We also had a lot of injuries this season. The substitutes who came on Sunday gave me a lot to think about."
Bachar was asked about summoning Noble Omar to the team and said: "We are dealing with a game tomorrow that is so important. Omar is a professional and will play a good game tomorrow as he has done so far."
Cherry celebrates with friends.
Saved the Greens from great embarrassment last week, Maccabi Haifa, the official website
Brakeman Bogdan Planic added: "This is a very important game for the club. We have a chance to get to the home stage and we will do everything to make it happen. We have not been in the home stage for too long. We have a good chance to change history. Europe is our main goal and we want to achieve it. ".
On the differences in defense from last season: "There is no difference in defense from last season. I do everything to be the same."
