Hapoel Tel Aviv Surges as Beitar Jerusalem Faces Crisis

Hapoel Tel Aviv is demonstrating a strong and dominant resurgence in Israeli football, reminiscent of the team under Eli Guttman 16 years ago. While not as legendary, the current iteration of Hapoel Tel Aviv possesses a potential for long-term relevance due to sound management, a dedicated fanbase, and a blend of quality and defensive strength. The team is showing significant improvement, particularly with standout players like Stav Turi'al, Ro'i Alkokin, and Douglas Owusu, who was instrumental in their recent victory.

In contrast, Beitar Jerusalem is experiencing a profound crisis. The team has shown a volatile emotional state, oscillating between impressive performances and the disappointing display seen in their recent match. Despite some promising European performances earlier in the season, Beitar's current struggles necessitate a reevaluation.

Almog Cohen, a respected figure in football, has been coaching Beitar Jerusalem. While he has a history of building successful teams, his coaching tenure with Beitar, which has aspirations for the championship, is being questioned. The high expectations set for the team this season, coupled with Cohen's relative inexperience as a head coach, create a mismatch. Beitar requires a more seasoned coach to lead their championship ambitions.

Beitar Jerusalem also suffers from significant squad deficiencies, particularly at the fullback positions and a glaring weakness in central midfield. These issues were evident in their recent losses to Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Despite assurances from club officials, the team's recent setbacks demand a serious reconsideration of their strategy, especially with the transfer window approaching.