Maccabi Netanya Coach Roni Levi Slams Team's Lack of Support
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Maccabi Netanya drew 1-1 with Ironi Tiberias on Saturday, prompting coach Roni Levi to criticize his players' lack of support for each other. The team's defensive frailties were also highlighted. Levi plans lineup changes for their upcoming game against Hapoel Jerusalem, where a win is crucial to alleviate mounting pressure.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coach Roni Levi expressed anger over Maccabi Netanya players' lack of support during a 1-1 draw.
- Players Bassam Zaroura and Yarin Abuhazira were specifically criticized for a costly mistake on a corner kick.
- Maccabi Netanya faces significant defensive problems with several players underperforming.
- Coach Levi plans to make lineup changes for the crucial match against Hapoel Jerusalem.
- A loss or draw against Hapoel Jerusalem will significantly increase pressure on the team.
Maccabi Netanya players returned home with a sense of defeat after a 1-1 draw against Ironi Tiberias on Saturday. The team registered 35 shots, 10 on target, but were thwarted by Tiberias goalkeeper Ido Sharon, who delivered one of the best performances of his career.
Following the match, coach Roni Levi, uncharacteristically, held an immediate team meeting. "I've coached many teams but I've never encountered such a lack of support," Levi stated angrily. His primary criticism was directed at players Bassam Zaroura and Yarin Abuhazira, who in the final minutes, instead of managing a corner kick, rushed the play, allowing Tiberias to launch a counter-attack. During this counter, with Ayalon Almog and Matheus Dabo in open positions, Abuhazira took a difficult shot that went wide.
The locker room atmosphere was tense, with players also criticizing teammates for their lack of support. The team acknowledges significant defensive issues, citing subpar performances from Bakary Konate and Olivier Verdon, and a pairing of Aziz Wattara and Gabriel Simion that is not working.
Looking ahead to their next match against Hapoel Jerusalem, Levi is expected to make lineup changes, with Maor Levy and Beni Feldman in contention for starting spots. Alex Talpa, who was excluded from the squad after disrespecting assistant coach Haim Shabo, and Amit Cohen, will attempt to regain their places. The club understands that anything less than a victory against Hapoel Jerusalem will intensify the pressure on the team.
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