Maccabi Tel Aviv Content With Hard-Fought Win Despite Lack of Spectacle

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a difficult 2-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya on Saturday, maintaining their perfect record in the Israeli Premier League as the international break begins. Club officials expressed satisfaction with the team's character and ability to secure a positive result, even if the performance was not always aesthetically pleasing.

"There will be games like this," a club representative stated. "The key was to show character and win, and we did that." The team is optimistic regarding the fitness of players Hilel Harush, Moammar Adana, and Moammar Kamara, who will undergo further medical evaluations. Harush felt discomfort in his groin, while Kamara is suspected to have a minor hamstring strain or overload.

Coach Vladimir Ivić indicated that the injuries appear to be minor and expressed hope that the break will allow the players to recover in time for the first match after the recess. He specifically praised the contributions of Eyal Kanyukovsky and Avishai Peretz, noting Kanyukovsky's crucial return to the squad. The club acknowledged that their absence from European competitions provides a competitive advantage in the domestic league.

Ivić also addressed his tactical decision to deploy Idan Shachar on the wing after Harush's injury, explaining that other available players like Elad Madmon (a forward) and Hisham Laous (limited physical capacity) were not suitable for the role at that moment. Sagiv Yehezkel had only recently returned to training.