Zahavi: "One of my most exciting goals, everyone dreamed of this moment for many years"

The Maccabi Tel Aviv star was emotional after the goal he scored 0:2 against Aris Thessaloniki in the first match of the Conference League qualifiers.

Ivić: "We played a good game"

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sport

04/08/2022

Thursday, 04 August 2022, 21:58

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Summary of the Conference League qualifiers: Maccabi Tel Aviv - Aris Thessaloniki 0:2 (Sport1)

Great joy in Maccabi Tel Aviv after the 0:2 tonight (Thursday) over Aris Thessaloniki in the first match of two years in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

With all due respect to the impressive victory over a strong opponent ahead of the rematch in Greece, the story of the evening for the fans was the comeback of Eran Zahavi, who came off the bench in the 67th minute and within 17 minutes celebrated his first goal since returning from Europe.

Djorja Jovanovic scored first for Vladan Ivic's team after a brilliant assist by Gabi Kanikowski (29), and the Yellows will hope to maintain the advantage in the return game in a week.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

: "I believe the guys played a good game. Of course we have a lot to improve in our game, but today we tried a new method. We won the first game 0:2 and we have another away game which of course will be completely different, but our goal is to move up" .

On the change in ability from the European game: "We expected more in the last game, but we need to work hard and start building our ability from game to game."

Couldn't have dreamed of a more exciting comeback.

Zahavi (Photo: Danny Maron)

On Eran Zahavi: "He came to help, and he's a player who works hard. I believe there's no need for me to talk about him because everyone in Israel knows him. He trains hard, he plays strong. He's still not fit enough, he only played 30 minutes. He'll play more And more according to his physical fitness."

himself said at the end: "I came with the goal of scoring and helping the team, I was happy to score an important goal that gives us another step forward. We haven't finished the job, let's cool down a bit. There were emotions, this is definitely one of the exciting goals, everyone dreamed of this moment for several years. This Every time it was almost, yes, no. That's it, now it's official."

On the feelings before the game: "I was excited from the moment I entered the stadium, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the fans. I'm happy to arrive, the feeling is perfect. We need to maintain this energy, we have an excellent team. We are constantly talking about more but we need to believe in what we have and in our way, that's Maccabi Tel Aviv".

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"We have to build ourselves from game to game."

Ivitch (Photo: Danny Maron)

Before the rematch: "The result is a miss? They also had a few misses, or rather saves by Daniel Peretz. Racing, that's a significant advance, but in Greece it's a different game. We're not going to defend, but to win. Happy for the victory."

On his fitness: "I played much longer today than we planned. I feel better, I can't say I was ready for the game, but they needed me, I have to jump into the water even if it's not the most pleasant."

On the fact that they closed the championship race in favor of Maccabi Haifa: "In all my years at Maccabi Tel Aviv I have not looked at another club and I will not do so now either, we have to take care of ourselves."

: "The crowd that pushed us for the whole 90 minutes deserves a big shout out. You see how much the crowd influences the players, we feed off of them. We looked much better today. There is a new team here, which with time will be much better. People like to cheer and shout at the beginning, they don't listen For the background noise, they come here and give everything."

On his fitness: "I feel good, my body is fine. My last match was a few months ago, so we don't take unnecessary risks. Ready for next week."

On Eran Zahavi: "Eran is a very important player on the field and off it. He is a player who radiates on everyone, the winning spirit and the desire to always win. He is hungry, he is not interested in the injury. He will give us the goals. We are a team and we will work hard for Eran and he will work It's hard for us."

Bitton was also asked about the championship picture: "We don't pay attention to background noise and what is said outside. Today is just the beginning, we will be much better."

• sport

• Israeli soccer

• Super League

Tags

• Maccabi Tel Aviv in football

• Vladan Ivic

• Eran Zehavi

• Nir Biton