Israeli Soccer League Faces Extended Break, Impacting Teams Differently

The Israeli Premier League is set to resume on October 10th after a nearly three-week hiatus for an extended national team break, which includes four matches. While national team breaks are often unpopular with fans and can lead to injuries, this particular break might offer strategic advantages to some clubs. Hapoel Be'er Sheva, despite sending several key players to various national teams, is expected to benefit from the return of other significant players after the break. The team has a notable number of players called up, including four likely starters, but also anticipates the return of Jibril Diop, Joao Victor, Itay Rotman, and Lucas Ventura.

Maccabi Netanya is also seen as a potential beneficiary, especially after losing their last two league games. The team has strengthened its squad with three new signings before the transfer window closed: Isak, Gabriel Simion, and Eyalon Almog, who are considered important additions.

Hapoel Tel Aviv faces a unique situation, with players representing Israel, Bulgaria, and Suriname. The team started its season early and has shown good form, appearing more cohesive than teams that participated in the Toto Cup. However, the extended break raises concerns about their physical conditioning.

Beitar Jerusalem has only two representatives in the national teams, Yarden Shua in the senior squad and Daniel Workman in the youth team. Shua, who has been coming off the bench for Beitar and performing well, might see his training disrupted by national team duty. However, his performance with the national team could boost his confidence, which is crucial for Beitar's season. Although Shua is not a guaranteed starter for Israel, with players like Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh on the wings, his ability to change games, as demonstrated by his winning goal against Belgium, could significantly impact Beitar's performance.

Ultimately, the long break presents a mixed bag for Israeli clubs. On paper, it appears to be well-timed for Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, while potentially disadvantageous for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The actual impact will only become clear when the league resumes.