Hapoel Be'er Sheva Players Battle 'Emptiness' After Champions League Exit

Players at Hapoel Be'er Sheva are experiencing a profound sense of 'emptiness' following their elimination from the Champions League qualifiers against Qarabag, which dashed their aspirations for the tournament. Despite this emotional void, the team has secured four out of a possible six points in the Israeli Premier League since the match in Baku. However, their most recent league game, a home draw against Hapoel Haifa, left coach Ran Kochav deeply frustrated.

The team is reportedly facing a high level of tension ahead of their upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. "Maccabi Tel Aviv might be the game we need to finally shake off this feeling that has been with us since Qarabag," one player stated. "We haven't recovered from what happened in Azerbaijan. It weighs heavily on us. We have flashbacks every day. It hurts, but we need to move on. This is a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, and it's the perfect opportunity, especially since they beat us in the last two encounters."

Within Hapoel Be'er Sheva, there is a clear recollection of the two cup finals lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv approximately two months ago: the Super Cup at Turner Stadium and the State Cup final at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. "This isn't about sporting revenge. We are the champions and have shown what Hapoel Be'er Sheva is capable of against Red Star Belgrade and in the first leg against Qarabag. We are coming to win," the team concluded.