Hapoel Be'er Sheva Aims to Secure Igor Zlatanovic for Maccabi Tel Aviv Clash

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is hoping to have striker Igor Zlatanovic available for their upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Monday. Zlatanovic has been sidelined, with young forward Amit Ouhana filling in for him. Ouhana recently scored his first career goal against Hapoel Ramat Gan and is expected to start again in the team's league opener against Hapoel Haifa on Wednesday evening at Turner Stadium.

This will be Hapoel Be'er Sheva's first home game of the season and their first overall since losing to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions of Champions Cup in early July. "We want to continue the momentum," a team source stated, acknowledging the challenge posed by Hapoel Haifa's strong squad. "Everyone remembers the last home game against them at Turner. We will need to be very strong and avoid mistakes."

Coach Raanan Kochav is also facing decisions in other positions. On the left wing, there is competition between Mohamed Abu Rumi, Amir Ganah, and Hamudi Kanaan, with Abu Rumi currently favored to start. In defense, Kochav is weighing whether to start Miguel Vítor, who is returning to the squad, or Djibril Diop, with Itay Rotman expected to play alongside the chosen center-back. The midfield will likely consist of Lucas Ventura, Eliel Peretz, and Niv Yehoshua. Zahy Ahmed will be absent due to a suspension from a brawl in the Cup final.

The projected starting lineup for the match against Hapoel Haifa is: Ofir Marciano; Guy Mizehi, Miguel Vítor (Djibril Diop), Itay Rotman, Pedro Amador; Lucas Ventura, Niv Yehoshua, Eliel Peretz; Javan East, Mohamed Abu Rumi (Amir Ganah), and Amit Ouhana.