Israel Soccer Coach Bets on Attacking Midfield Against Austria

The Israeli national soccer team will face Austria on Thursday, with national coach Ran Ben Shimon opting for an attacking midfield lineup. He has chosen Eliel Peretz, Dor Peretz, and Oscar Gloukh to play in midfield, leaving Israel without a natural defensive midfielder against a team that recently played in the World Cup.

Eliel Peretz, who primarily plays as an attacking midfielder throughout his career, especially in recent years with Hapoel Be'er Sheva, has rarely been deployed as a defensive midfielder. Dor Peretz, the top scorer in the Israeli Premier League, has played in this position earlier in his career, even as a defender for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Haifa, but has recently focused on attacking roles.

Austria's expected midfield starters include Nicolas Seiwald of RB Leipzig, Xaver Schlager of Nottingham Forest, and Romano Schmid of Frosinone. Seiwald is valued at 25 million euros and is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Bundesliga. Schlager moved to the English league this summer after years with Leipzig, while Schmid recently assisted two goals in Frosinone's 2-0 victory over Como.

Ben Shimon's decision to start without a defensive midfielder against this strong Austrian trio, instead fielding an offensive lineup with players skilled at ball movement, raises questions about its effectiveness. The Israeli starting lineup includes Daniel Peretz, Guy Mizerachi, Nikita Stoyanov, Idan Nachmias, Roy Revivo, Eliel Peretz, Dor Peretz, Oscar Gloukh, Manor Solomon, Anan Khalaily, and Sayed Abu Farhi.