The collapse in Europe ("We got a slap") • Foreign coaches in Israel ("Love the concept") • Lack of appreciation ("Not looking for my pictures on billboards") • Playoff isolation ("Not sure it will succeed next season") • And the moment is almost over His career ("nightmare") • Avi Riken speaks

• ignorant. Second Championship Plate

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  Ami fat

Some players are every coach's dream. Some are capable of playing in some positions, others contribute more in the locker room, but some can do ... both. Well, let's end with this spoiler - Avi Riken.

A few days after celebrating his second career championship, and before his sixth season in the Maccabi Tel Aviv uniform, Riken found the time for an exclusive interview for "Israel Today." He talks about Serbian coach Vladimir Ivich, telling tips from Dan Glazer and Jonathan Cohen , Recalls the famous elbow from Itai Schechter, referring to the minority affair and looking toward the future.

"What we did last season was really rare, but this championship was a lot harder," says the 31-year-old midfielder. "This year we had a very good opponent, Maccabi Haifa didn't give up until the last minute. Feeling them constantly blowing our necks and still taking a championship In such a gap - it's a tremendous achievement. "

How did you collapse in Europe and succeed in the Premier League like that?

"The disappointment with the impeachment was huge. A club like Maccabi Tel Aviv is used to being in the home stages in the European arena, and suddenly two years without it. We failed in Europe, but that disappointment gave us strength for the league. After the championship last season, we thought things would come easy for us, but we got slapped. We will learn from these mistakes. "

To qualify for the Champions League stage is a real goal?

"To reach the European League stage is feasible for us. The Champions is something else, because we are a little bit away from the level and also the money the teams spend there. I don't know if it's a fantasy, but you have to have a really good team. "Earlier we were there Eran Zahavi did wonderful things. You need things to connect with you and get a comfortable raffle - that's just how you can get to the Champions League home stage."

How is Ibich different from the other coaches in your career?

"Managing the dressing room and maximizing utilization. It's something I've never experienced, he's number one in it. Ivich always knew to keep everyone ready, even if they didn't play. There were players who didn't play for two months, and when they came up they were good and even scored. The coach knew how to keep them "He was a consensus in the locker room. He also worked with us a lot on our defensive game. A top-notch professional."

Maybe that's what the Israeli player needs, a coach like him.

"I don't rule it out. There should be a separation between the coach and his players. There should be no affection or favorite relationship. When foreign coaches come in, the language barrier makes us less able to express our opinion, and maybe it's better. I like the coaches concept. The foreigners in Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"At first I didn't know what was happening"

In Riken's title closet you will find two championships with the Maccabi Tel Aviv, a Swiss Cup with PZ Zurich and three more Toto trophies. "Itai Schechter tells me 'This is, now you are a title contractor'. I hope to keep counting like that, because in the end that's what they remember. My dream is another championship with Maccabi, three in a row that's already something very powerful for me. "

Schechter is one of the closest players to the void, but fate and precisely an elbow that the striker sent in one of the training hit his eye and almost caused the midfielder to lose his sight. Riken recalls: "I hope Schechter keeps his hands to himself. It was a nightmare. I was hit with something in sight, and at first I didn't know what was going on. Two weeks I did nothing, just walking. I was in uncertainty. I am a very believing person.

"I was able to come back, and the first game was the derby that I captured in Bloomfield, but it was not an easy time. I was worried that I would lose my vision, that it would hurt my profession and my daily functioning. You had to be careful not to get into surgery. I've been through it, but I've had some easy weeks. "

You score repeatedly in big games. Do you have an explanation for the phenomenon?

"It's a fact. This season, and also last season, I scored in the big games, but I also conquered other games. I like to get to big games, but in terms of preparation or approach to the game - it's always the same: come at a high level of readiness and commitment. I'll show it to the kids. "

When you returned from the Corona lagoon and the Maccabi Haifa gap was six points, did you fear losing the championship?

"I don't know if it was a concern, but there was uncertainty: what you will see, what you will get from the players. The whole country was home, and we tried to keep fit with bicycles. This is a delusional period, because nobody knew what he would look like when he came back."

How frustrating was staying in isolation during the playoffs?

"Until the last two weeks of the games we couldn't go out at all and take the kids to the frames, only then agreed. There are so many people making a living from the football, so we had to make concessions. I'm not sure it will succeed next season. Our life, social life, and we didn't leave home just to end the season. This championship was sweet because of the concessions we had to make. It was very difficult to play without a crowd. For three years our fans traveled to the stadium in Netanya. They waited for us to return to Bloomfield to celebrate his championship. We'll have to let them feel it again. "

Was it a defending team championship?

"The statistics speak for themselves. It's a team championship. In games we led by two or three goals in the 85th or 90th minute - we wanted more. It would be very difficult to recover our records, certainly on defense."

"Zehabi? Send him a message every morning"

Why are you not invited to the team?

"I have no answer. I don't go into the decision-makers' heads. There are times when I wasn't good and I didn't deserve, but there are a lot of good times that I think I deserve. Although I'm not invited, I don't underestimate my values ​​and live very well. From the team. "

Maybe because you are not valued enough?

"I hear it throughout my career. Sometimes I have that feeling, and even teammates tell me, 'Listen, you don't appreciate you enough.' For me, the most important thing is that I appreciate where I am. I don't want to be told on the street how good or good they are My pictures on billboards, it doesn't interest me. "

Dan Glazer Player of the Season, Jonathan Cohen was nominated for this title. Is it their time to go to Europe?

"I remember being asked if they were worth borrowing. I supported going out, because when you're young and playing in a group of 20-20 games and returning to your team - it makes you better. June and Dan did it and proved it worked. They have to pick the best offer. Most for them, but also remember that Maccabi Tel Aviv is a European club for everything. "

How much do you want Golden to return?

"Every morning I pester Eran with a message. He has to make the decision with his family and agents. He knows that Maccabi is his home and will always accept him. He breaks equality in this league."

What is your position on the case of Dor Micah, noble Omar and the minors?

"They had a big professional contribution and not a small part in winning the championship. From the moment it happened, they weren't with us and we couldn't talk to them about the case. When you don't know all the details, you don't want to choose a side. But now that you know there was no criminal flaw, This is important for them and for the club. "