Former Israeli Footballers Reveal Intense Derby Pressure

Former Israeli footballers Maor Kandel and Tal Ben Haim have revealed the immense pressure they felt during their time playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv, particularly concerning the team's decade-long undefeated streak against rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in derby matches. Speaking on the "Olim LaRegel" podcast, the players described the anxiety surrounding the possibility of being the ones to break the streak.

Kandel recounted his extreme nervousness before derby games, stating, "I was trembling before the derbies, the most frightening thing in the world." He admitted that even facing a weaker Hapoel team was stressful due to the historical significance of the derby. Kandel also shared a personal anecdote: before a cup final derby match, just a week before his wedding, he vowed to retire from football if he lost, feeling he wouldn't recover from such a defeat.

Ben Haim, a prominent figure in derby history, echoed these sentiments. He confessed to having a similar thought during a cup final derby, contemplating immediate retirement if he lost. Ben Haim described his pre-derby routine as isolating, preferring to be in his own world and becoming intensely focused, likening his state to that of a "mentally ill person" in the days leading up to the crucial matches.