Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces True Test After Dominant September Run

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a hard-fought victory against Maccabi Netanya, demonstrating resilience even when not playing at their peak. While the team experienced a "yellow September" of euphoria with dominant wins, including a derby victory, the article posits this initial sprint has concluded. The win against Netanya, though difficult, is deemed more significant than previous easy victories as it proved Maccabi Tel Aviv can overcome challenging matches where things don't flow perfectly, such as when key players like Lior Refaelov and Eitan Tibi were injured. This win, securing five points out of five and a successful exit into the international break, is seen as crucial preparation for the tougher league games ahead, starting with Bnei Sakhnin.

Beitar Jerusalem is also showing signs of stabilization after a disastrous start to the season. Following a complete collapse against Maccabi Netanya and a tough loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv, Beitar has been on an upward trajectory with narrow wins against Bnei Sakhnin and Maccabi Petah Tikva, culminating in their recent victory over Hapoel Haifa. This win is important not only because beating Hapoel Haifa is a significant achievement, but also because it signifies the continuation of their rebuilding process. Players like Omer Atzili are returning to form, and Yarden Shua, despite coming off the bench, showed hunger and skill, highlighting the challenge for coach Almog Cohen to integrate him effectively during the break.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva, like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem, also struggled for their win this past weekend, with Hapoel Tel Aviv being the only top team to win comfortably. Be'er Sheva's challenge lies in balancing their European commitments with the domestic league. The team appears to be operating with two distinct squads: one for European competitions and another for the league, a strategy that has yielded a respectable draw against Dinamo Zagreb and a league win. This approach aims to distribute the load and increase the chances of surviving both competitions.

The article also highlights Andrea Novakovich of Maccabi Haifa as a standout performer, exceeding expectations with a brace and nearly another goal, proving his worth as an "old-school" goal scorer. Conversely, Massai Dego is identified as a "loser" for his team's inability to secure a crucial win against Bnei Sakhnin, a game they needed to win for league survival. Dor Peretz of Maccabi Tel Aviv is noted for scoring his eighth goal of the season, matching a feat not seen since Tal Ben Haim in the 2006/07 season. The "hot name" is Nadim Varashna, a young Hapoel Jerusalem player who scored a hat-trick, the first for the club in 55 years. Amir Ganach of Hapoel Be'er Sheva scored the "goal of the week" against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, showcasing his improved finishing. Finally, Hapoel Tel Aviv is mentioned for their stylish and easy victory despite a difficult week, proving they should not be underestimated after the break.