Beitar Jerusalem Stars Complained of Grueling Training

Beitar Jerusalem's disappointing 4-1 loss to Maccabi Netanya in their opening match of the Israeli Premier League season has sparked concern and analysis from former players and commentators. Eli Ohana expressed deep worry over the team's performance, which he described as a recurring negative trend starting from preseason tournaments and continuing through European qualifiers.

Ohana suggested that some players may have entered the match with excessive confidence, expecting an easy victory against Netanya. He emphasized that overconfidence is detrimental in football and called for team owner Almog Cohen and CEO Barak Abramov to address the issue. Ohana also advised against overly complex build-up play, advocating for a return to the defensive solidity and midfield aggression seen last season.

Regarding player Itay Shua, who has been sidelined by injury, Ohana noted that Shua has been training intensely despite his physical struggles. He defended Shua's limited playing time, stating that players returning from injury should not be expected to perform at peak immediately and typically receive around 20-25 minutes. Ohana revealed that he had heard complaints from players about the extreme physical demands of their training over the past ten days.

Nir Klinger, another commentator, questioned coach Almog Cohen's tactical decisions, specifically the decision to move away from the sidelines and bench striker Barak Itzhaki. Klinger also pointed to a lack of a dedicated defensive midfielder, noting that current players in that role are not suited for it. He believes the team's defense, previously considered the best in the league, was exposed due to the absence of a strong midfield shield. Klinger concluded by stressing the importance of Itay Shua's presence on the field, calling him a leader whose absence contributes to the team's mediocrity.