Hapoel Tel Aviv Coach Denies Derby Distraction After Dominant Win

Hapoel Tel Aviv's coach, Eliniv Barda, asserted that his team was not focused on the upcoming Tel Aviv derby despite their impressive 4-0 victory over Hapoel Ramat Gan. Barda stated that at no point did the team consider the derby, emphasizing that substitutions were made once the score reached 2-0. He clarified his focus remains solely on his players and the team's performance, noting that the shorter preparation weeks previously did not allow for adequate team building.

Barda analyzed the team's performance, highlighting their control of the ball and the need for improvement in decision-making in the final third. He stressed the importance of not conceding goals, a collective effort starting from the forwards, and acknowledged the goal-scoring aspect of the match as a positive takeaway. Regarding player Douglas Owusu, Barda described him as having a high ceiling and significant potential for growth, stating the club aims to develop him further.

Player Omri Altman expressed surprise at Maccabi Tel Aviv's 4-1 win over Beitar Jerusalem but echoed the sentiment of derby importance, calling it a unique and highly anticipated match in Israel. He credited the home crowd for providing confidence and acting as an additional player. Altman also commented on Emmanuel Boateng's return to scoring, noting that while Boateng hadn't been as involved since a previous match, he continues to create chances, and the team supports him.

On the opposing side, Hapoel Ramat Gan remains with zero points after three games. Coach Massai Dego admitted that nothing worked in the match, citing defensive lapses and a lack of confidence, which he stated is uncharacteristic of the team. He expressed disappointment with the team's collapse, especially after a satisfactory previous week, and vowed not to overlook such a performance.