Speed, power, ability to improve those on his side and 23 games without absorbing a yellow card • In Tel Aviv Macs is confident that Jair Amador is "the best brake in the country" • Will he have a job in the Derby?
Jair Amador with Ethan Tibi. Their combination is reminiscent of forgotten yellows
Photo:
Ami fat
Jose Mourinho, Diego Simeone and many others in the world have made impressive careers along the lines of being defensive coaches. This is not always pleasant, sometimes the fans get annoyed, but in 2020 there are also teams that succeed solely because of their defensive strength, and Vladimir Ivich's Tel Aviv Maccabi is first and foremost a defensive group.
In the first 24 games of the league, the Yellows scored only seven goals (three of them in the crazy season game against Maccabi Haifa in Sami Ofer), compared to 11 at the same time point last season. These are outstanding data defensively. Thus, for example, the second defensive team in the league is Hapoel, who by the time of the current cycle had scored 18 goals.
As the data shows, Maccabi was a great defensive team last year too, but this season it has improved even further, and even its offensive players are not ashamed to declare that "championships are taking a strong defense," as Schechter testified. So what turned the yellow defense into monstrous, and more in a season when top teams such as Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem were strengthened? Here are the answers.
Without anyone noticing or noticing, this season's defending champions are completely different from those played most of last season. Fredrag Raikovich took his place between the beams and Daniel Tenenbaum, Eli Dasa's slot Andre Andre Geraldesh entered, and the pair of brakes Sharan Yani the dawn of Piven were replaced by Eitan Tibi and Jair Amador. The only one who kept his place from last season is the left defender
Enrique Suburit.
"Group 4 of Amigos"
One of the benefits of the current defensive squad is that, with the exception of Tibi, everyone speaks Portuguese or Spanish. The common language probably contributes to coordinating on the field, but mainly connects those players outside as well. They call them "Amigos 4" in Kiryat Shalom, which means Tannenbaum, Saborite, Amador and Geraldes, who often hang out and spend time together.
This bunch has one player who stands out above all, and no, we're not referring to Tannenbaum, who recorded amazing records this season, but rather to Amador. They may not talk too much about him, but the Portuguese gives the yellows everything a team wants to brake - speed, strength, quiet, experience and composure.
Ibich. It all starts in defense // Photo: Ami Shuman
Notice the following figure: On the eve of the 25th cycle, where the champion will host Hapoel Tel Aviv for the Derby
Urban, Amador played 23 games, completed 90 minutes in each and did not receive a yellow card (!). This is despite the fact that all members of the back squad have seen at least one yellow this season, even the goalie.
Anyone who thinks this figure is indicative of a less aggressive brake game is simply wrong. "No brake in the country is approaching Jair's level," Maccabi maintains, explaining: "It cannot be taken quickly - Levi Garcia has not been able to pass it, nor is KJ's jet (Malik Foster; SHA). Shakes players with one shoulder and takes all the balls in the head. Without blinking, it's the best brake in the country. He, Tibi and Glazer constantly make blocks and not just the team doesn't get expats. "
"We wanted Zehabi too"
Maccabi was hoping to see these qualities from Amador last year. The brake came to Kiryat Shalom after being one of Spain's second-season champions and one of the leaders of the Huskies League, but already in the first round of the league he broke his collarbone after clashing with Guy Haimov and was missing two months. At that time Ran Yini took his place in the lineup, the team ran in the league, the defense was great, and because of Ibich who's playing well, the brake dried up until the season finale, when the championship was already decided.
In light of the fact that few play, Huiska tried to get him back in the ranks this summer, but Maccabi was unwilling to hear about it. "Beyond the interest there was nothing, because they have no money to pay him and certainly not the transfer fee," recalls a champion in the lines of the champion. "The one whose president said they wanted it is beautiful. We wanted Zehabi too, so what?"
From the beginning of the season Amador and Tibi are not leaving the lineup. Both lead the league with accurate dedication, and their combination is reminiscent of forgotten yellows. "Since Carlos Garcia, we have not had a brake like Jaire," they said at the club. "They both came at the age of 28 from Spain's second league, both are amazing brakes, and Tibi has only blogged next to Carlos, and now near Jaire."
Three months ago, Amador experienced a family crisis. It happened right next to the first Derby of the season and had to fly to his family immediately. Due to individual modesty, it is impossible to add further, but Amador, who has had a difficult life (previously unearthed by his parents when he was a baby and adopted at the age of 6 by a Spanish family), has also managed to rise from this simple crisis.
By the end of the season, Amador had two personal goals - winning a league derby (winning the Toto Cup), maybe tonight, and finally scoring a goal in the yellow uniform. He can ask for tips from Ethan Tibi.
On the professional side, Ibich is debating between Itay Schechter and Chico Opuado on offense, as well as whether to return the composition to Micah Dor.