Hapoel Haifa will host the first derby of the season on Wednesday (20:30, Sport 5).
Since Roni Levy was appointed coach, the Reds have not lost.
They recorded a draw against Beitar Jerusalem and last Saturday won for the first time since the opening round, 0:1 against Hapoel Jerusalem.
Over 24 thousand fans secured their place in the derby.
About 19,000 Maccabi fans bought all the tickets allocated to them and another 5,000 Hapoel fans secured their seats, of which about 3,000 tickets were sold.
In Hapoel they expect about 7,000 fans of the team, a record number of the season.
Another 1,000 tickets in the silver stand are still frozen and it will be decided where they will be transferred by this evening.
Today (Monday) Hapoel Haifa held a press conference with the participation of owner Yoav Katz, coach Roni Levy and brakeman Louis Taha.
"This is the best show in town," Katz said at the beginning of his speech, adding: "The audience will come to the show and this is the best and perhaps the only show in town. I believe everything will go smoothly with the fans and everything will be great. I don't believe in problems. It won't affect the game. We don't We hear about concern but a demand for tickets more than we expected. There is a demand for more than 7,000 tickets."
Katz also added: "Haifa is a city that goes together in the schools, the youth movements, it's great. We have a very good team. There is a 67 percent success rate under Roni, which is excellent, as long as it continues like this."
Katz said about the rival: "There are stars in the sky."
Roni Levy said: "The team has been without a win since the first round. A win is the best medicine for any problem. We still have ingredients to improve, we will work on what is needed. As time goes by, we will be a better team."
Regarding Maccabi Haifa, Levy said: "We will focus on ourselves. The way they play speaks for itself. They play offensively, they have a great coach, great players, and in front of it you have to be the best possible. They have players with high abilities."
On his first derby: "I played against Maccabi Haifa as a coach in other teams several times, there is always this feeling, nevertheless we did some things. In the end, this is sport and I represent Hapoel Haifa today. We will put the sentiments aside. We will do everything to win the game. I Although only two games, but in many parameters I am pleasantly surprised. Every team has a base, the defense, this was reflected because we were exposed and quite easily they would come into situations against us. We will work on the other aspects. Against Hapoel Jerusalem we were close to situations, but something was missing. These things will be taken A little time. Against Maccabi Haifa, you need all the ingredients, but knowing how to take advantage of all the opportunities."
Hapoel Haifa fans.
The team is expecting their record number this season, photo: Danny Maron
Louis Taha spoke about the defensive game and said: "With a better approach, things improved in defense as well as in attack. Except for the game against Ashdod, we have the best defense. They signed next to me and we are coordinated, this will improve us for the future. Every coach has his own method and plan. It did not go well for us With three brakes, it's a fact that a line of four goes better. A professional player should come and give his soul and blood, it doesn't matter if it's Maccabi Haifa or Juventus. There are many good players there, we saw them in the Champions League. Derby is a big game, prestige, for us and our fans. Football is the sport and we call on everyone to come cheer, have fun and return home safely."
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