Maccabi Tel Aviv Shows Early Season Dominance After Difficult Summer

Maccabi Tel Aviv has begun the current football season with a strong showing in the league, seemingly defying a trend where a "weaker" summer leads to a stronger start. Despite an early elimination from European competition, the team's performance in the domestic league has been marked by complete control, confidence, and the ability to overwhelm opponents, reminiscent of the Vladimir Ivic era.

In a recent match, Maccabi Tel Aviv dominated Hapoel Be'er Sheva, leading to an expulsion for Be'er Sheva's Eliel Peretz. Key players like Gabi Kanyukovsky, returning from Hungary, and the World Cup participant Arale, have shown exceptional form, with Ester Sklar scoring twice. Coach Keni Miller is credited with strategically placing his players to maximize their effectiveness, addressing criticisms of last season's perceived laxity.

The challenging early season schedule is seen as beneficial for Maccabi Tel Aviv, allowing them to channel accumulated frustration from the previous coach, Darko Lazetić, onto their opponents. While Be'er Sheva, bolstered by new signing Adrian Ogrisa, is considered a significant threat, they were unable to match Maccabi's offensive talent.

Defensively, the team is still working towards perfection, but the recent acquisition of James Tavernier from Rangers aims to add experience and leadership. Although Tavernier has yet to fully impress, the team's current success may allow him time to adapt without pressure. The most concerning aspect for rival teams is that Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet reached its peak performance, with players like Dor Peretz still to deliver standout games, yet the team secured a decisive 4-1 victory against the reigning champions, Be'er Sheva.

Following the summer's discussions about needing numerous new signings, the team's current strength, highlighted by Kanyukovsky's impact and the overall squad depth, leaves little to be desired. The team's focus appears to be solely on the league, with little apparent interest in European competitions like the Europa League or Conference League.