Summary: Olympiakos - Maccabi Tel Aviv 4:1/Sport1
Maccabi Tel Aviv did not have too much time to celebrate the impressive 1:4 victory over Olympiakos in the Round of 16 of the Conference League.
Before the second leg in Serbia which could send it to the first European quarter-finals in its history, the leader returns to focus on the Premier League and will try to continue its great momentum also in the Teddy Stadium against Beitar Jerusalem (Sunday, 20:30).
Coach Robbie Keane, who is expected to keep most of his squad, was asked At the press conference what he learned about his team after the game in Greece, and replied: "I'll tell you on Monday what I learned." On his belief in winning in Greece: "I always say that you have to believe and that's what I tell the players before every game - always believe that you can beat whoever is in front of you .
As a player, I always believed that I could achieve more than my opponent.
Whether you're the best player in the world or not, that's the mentality you have to have.
If you believe that something can be achieved, you will achieve it.
It was a good performance, we are able to win a lot of games when we do things right."
Doesn't complain about the schedule, doesn't get excited about the verdict. Robbie Keen/Maor Alxalsi
On canceling practice on Friday: "It was my decision. It was a long journey even though it wasn't a long flight and I felt that the players needed a more relaxed day, a massage, treatments, because those who didn't play already trained on Thursday after the game. I thought on Friday after 5-6 hours At the various airports it is better not to conduct training. We had a lot of injuries this season, so we decided together with the team and the doctors that it would be better to rest."
On the tight schedule and the fact that there is a league game on Sunday: "It is what it is, I'm not complaining. I haven't complained once this season. We have a squad, we have enough players, maybe those who haven't played will get a chance. We have a whole squad so that there are enough guys." The healthy for the next game. As a player you of course want to keep playing all the time, certainly after victories. You want to keep your momentum in the team. When I was a player I was used to that, league then Champions League or UEFA Cup and then cup games in England.
It was normal for us."
Regarding the situation of Derrick Lucassen and Milson: "Derrick will train a little today, but will not be ready for the game against Beitar. He is getting close to returning. Milson? Every player here has something on their leg or hand, some kind of dressing, so I Not excited. He doesn't have anything serious."
Towards Beitar: "We saw in this league that certain teams make life difficult for us, there are no easy games here.
I never go into a game thinking it's going to be easy for me.
I believe that my players don't act or think like that either."
On the court: "What can I do?
It's not under my control."
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Ruby Keen
Maccabi Tel Aviv in football