Hapoel Be'er Sheva Players Express Disappointment After European Draw

Hapoel Be'er Sheva began their Europa League campaign with a 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb, leaving players with mixed feelings. While encouraged by their dominance against a strong opponent, they lamented a lack of quality in passing and finishing that prevented them from scoring.

"It was a game we should have won," players stated, expressing disappointment and a "sense of missed opportunity" given their control of the match. Poor pitch conditions were also cited as a contributing factor.

Despite the draw, coach Ran Kozuch received praise for fielding an aggressive and dominant team despite absences and injuries. Players like Amankwaa Forson, Igor Zlatanovic, and Jabaon East showed promise, while Niv Yishua impressed as a defensive midfielder, providing a high-level alternative to Lucas Ventura. Guy Mzrahi and Pedro Amador were noted for their contributions in both defense and attack.

The team returned to Israel immediately after the match and is set to face Kiryat Shmona on Saturday. Kozuch is expected to continue rotating the squad, with Eliel Peretz and Jibril Diop returning and likely to start, alongside other fresh players like Hamudi Kanaan, Adrian Grbic, and Joao Victor.

Most players will go on a break after the upcoming league match, except for those called up for national teams. Ventura and Itay Rotman remain sidelined with injuries and are expected back after the break. The club highlighted the depth of their squad, stating their goal is to secure points in the Europa League while also winning in the domestic league, acknowledging the challenge of the heavy schedule but expressing readiness.