Israeli Soccer League Week in Review: Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates, Hapoel Tel Aviv Faces Setback, Beitar Jerusalem Seeks Consistency

Maccabi Tel Aviv continues its impressive run, securing dominant victories against rivals like Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and in the derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The team has seen strong performances from new signings and the departure of underperforming players, leading to a "positive trance" where "everything is going their way." However, the article questions how long this peak performance can last, noting that even dominant teams experience inevitable dips in form.

Hapoel Tel Aviv suffered a significant 4-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv, marking a rare instance of a complete collapse in a seemingly even match under the current ownership and coach Alon Mizrahi. Despite the heavy loss, the team and its fans have largely maintained composure, understanding the broader positive trajectory since their struggles in May 2024. The focus now shifts to their upcoming match against Hapoel Petah Tikva, where they must shake off the defeat and continue their progress.

Beitar Jerusalem secured a crucial win against Maccabi Petah Tikva, halting a negative momentum that followed early-season losses. This victory served as a reminder of the team's quality, featuring players like Azili, Weissman, and Shu'a, despite ongoing challenges with injuries and squad completeness. The team's true potential remains to be seen once their full squad, including new signing Alexis Serna, is available and they return to their home stadium, Teddy.

Oshir Davida is highlighted as the "winner" of the derby for his strong performance and goal, a significant rebound after a difficult previous season. However, his "loser" moment came from an unnecessary taunt towards the opposing fans after scoring, which the article suggests detracted from his achievement. The piece also notes the long scoring drought for Shon Weissman, dating back to May 2019, and the impactful debut of new Maccabi Haifa signing Pedro Brazão.

Finally, the article criticizes the Israeli Premier League's scheduling for the upcoming round, which features six games kicking off simultaneously due to the proximity of Yom Kippur. This arrangement makes it impossible for fans to follow multiple matches, deemed a "real blunder" by the league's organizers, especially given the increased interest in the league this season.