Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Blames Softness, Referee After Loss

Hapoel Be'er Sheva coach Ran Kuzuach addressed his team's recent 4-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv, attributing the loss to a lack of intensity and poor defensive organization. "We were very, very soft," Kuzuach stated in a press conference ahead of his team's upcoming match against Hapoel Petah Tikva. "We didn't respond to what we knew they would do, we were soft and left them spaces."

While acknowledging the refereeing was "low level," Kuzuach emphasized that he cannot control it and must focus on what is within his power. He likened the current season to a marathon, noting that even last year's championship team lost points along the way. The coach highlighted the challenge of maintaining competitiveness in both the league and European competitions, stressing the need for physical readiness and strategic lineup decisions.

Regarding player acquisitions, Kuzuach revealed that some transfer targets fell through at the last minute. However, he expressed confidence in the current squad's ability to fill necessary positions, stating that players will have opportunities to prove themselves. He indicated that the club would pursue a midfield upgrade if a suitable player becomes available, otherwise, they will rely on the existing roster.

Looking ahead to the match against Hapoel Petah Tikva, Kuzuach anticipates a difficult game, noting that his opponent has changed its appearance but still possesses dangerous elements. He also discussed potential squad changes, including loaning out players to gain experience, emphasizing that such decisions are made after thorough consideration and discussion.

Defender Guy Mzrahi echoed the coach's sentiments about the team's softness and lost battles in the Maccabi Tel Aviv game. He expressed the team's desire to defend their league title, drawing a parallel to an interview where Arsenal's coach stated they aim to "attack" their title rather than defend it. Mzrahi also touched on the team's elimination from the Champions League, stating their focus is now on the Europa League and winning the league to return to the top European competition.