Israel State Cup Semi-finals: Beitar Jerusalem vs Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:3 (Sport 1)
"Theoretically, Maccabi Tel Aviv can still win the championship, but no one in Kiryat Shalom is deluding himself that there is a chance," a Maccabi Tel Aviv player said this morning ahead of tonight's game (Monday, 20:30) in Sammy Ofer against Maccabi Haifa. "We return to the stadium from which we left very disappointed last Wednesday and we will try to win for our respect and for the love of the fans."
Aitor Karanka, who does have a contract for next season and talks about the preparations he has been making for a month for the second season, knows deep down that after being eliminated in the semi-finals of the Israel State Cup, there is little chance that he will stay. But in the days since the elimination against Beitar Jerusalem, the coach conducted himself as usual and prepared the team as every week for a game that is always prestigious. "It doesn't matter what happens next season, every player has to give his hundred percent in every game and certainly in the game against Maccabi Haifa," Maccabi Tel Aviv said.
A lot of prestige is on the agenda (Photo: Bernie Ardov)
The injured Eran Zahavi and Enric Savorit will be absent. Dor Turgeman may start alongside Jorja Jovanovic and Sharan Yeni is a candidate to return to the lineup after months of injury. Karanka has some hesitations in midfield and in any case it looks like Dan Glazer and Dor Peretz will start together.
Just as theoretically Maccabi Tel Aviv can still win the championship, so and more so there is a good chance that Maccabi Haifa will win the championship tonight in a meeting against it if Hapoel Be'er Sheva stumbles simultaneously in Ashdod. "We have to come and play for our reputation and not take into account who will be the champion and how the season will end," the club concluded.
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- Israeli football
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- Maccabi Tel Aviv Football