Everyone agreed on one thing at Maccabi Tel Aviv - the game they played in the derby was one of the best and most one-sided of theirs this season.
This ability raised the confidence of the players that the championship story is not over: "It is possible to make a comeback like last year," said Maccabi.
Striker Stepa Fritza, who saw Ernestas Shtakos stop him with two safe goals, praised the Lithuanian goalkeeper but sent a message to the future: "I was sure the ball would go in the first half but he saved in an amazing way. "An amazing evening. It was his momentum but in the next game against them I will show him that it was a one-off show."
On the situation of the team in the table, the striker said: "We have a lot of points to close but I believe it is possible to do it and return to the championship fight. If we continue to play like this, anything is possible. There are many more points at the box office. Take nothing.
We have time to close the gap and become champions. "
Stifa Fritza grabs head after Shtakus' huge rescue, Photo: Ami Shumen,
The Serbian striker referred to the change that Barak Yitzhaki brought and the fact that Vladan Ivic refused to return to the position of coach and said: "Barak brought us new energies. Barak is Israeli and he showed us what it is to be a Maccabi. "I know the difference. I know from people in the locker room that Ivica did not come for family reasons. I played in Italy and England and he is the best coach I have had (Ivica brought him to Watford SA) and I was a little disappointed that he did not come but it is football."
Maccabi believes that the owner's representative, Jack Angelidis, together with the professional manager Barak Yitzhaki, who has coached the team for the last three games, will be able to appoint a coach during the national team break.
Yitzhaki did not like to hear criticism that the procedure took longer and said.
"I do not remember that in the past at Maccabi Tel Aviv the owner used to talk to other coaches as long as we had a coach. As soon as the coach was fired, the names started to come up and look for a coach. We are waiting for the right coach for him."
Yitzhaki concluded: "I told the players in the half that I do not have much to tell you because we play well. It is a pity that we absorbed the goal. If we continue to play this way we will score and win the game. After the derby I am very optimistic about the players and the team."
Eyal Golsa, who was taken to hospital last night after injuring his head as a result of an elbow he suffered from Dan Einbinder, underwent a series of tests and apparently suffered a mild concussion.
Following this, the contact - together with Dan Glazer, were released from the squad for the upcoming games and were replaced by Dolev Haziza from Maccabi Haifa and Aviv Avraham from Maccabi Netanya.
Barak Yitzhaki behind Nir Klinger.
Maccabi is still looking for a coach, Photo: Ami Shumen,