Hapoel Tel Aviv Narrowly Eliminated by Atalanta in Conference League Playoff

Hapoel Tel Aviv was eliminated from the UEFA Conference League playoff on August 27 after a 1-0 loss to Atalanta. Despite the defeat, coach Eliniv Berda expressed pride in his players, stating they were at least equal to, if not better than, their opponents. Berda highlighted the team's significant improvement from the first leg and lamented the narrow margin of defeat, emphasizing the missed opportunities to score.

Berda also noted the club's readiness to respond to market developments and stressed the importance of the upcoming league season, calling it the foundation from which they reached European competition. Midfielder Omri Altman echoed the coach's sentiments, saying the team felt capable of advancing and praised the fans for their unwavering support throughout six memorable European matches. Altman described the experience as amazing and hinted at building a lasting tradition of European competition for the club.

The match marked the end of Hapoel Tel Aviv's European journey this season, but both players and staff remain optimistic about their domestic campaign starting soon. The team's performance and fan engagement were seen as positive signs for the future despite the disappointment of elimination.