Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Hapoel Tel Aviv in Toto Cup Final Amidst Player Controversy
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv will compete in the Toto Cup final tonight, with Maccabi aiming for their second title of the season. Coach Kenny Miller is considering lineup changes due to injuries and player performance, including a potential return for Avi Davida. Davida's previous provocative goal celebration has led to a fine and is expected to result in a hostile reception from Hapoel fans.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv will play in the Toto Cup final tonight.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv seeks its second title of the season after winning the Champions of Champions Cup.
- Avi Davida's provocative celebration in the last derby led to a fine and a planned hostile reception.
- Coach Kenny Miller faces selection dilemmas due to injuries and player form.
- Noam Ben Harush is out for weeks with a meniscus tear, impacting the left-back position.
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are set to clash tonight at 8:30 PM at Bloomfield Stadium for the second derby of the season, this time in the Toto Cup final. Maccabi Tel Aviv, who defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 4-1 in their previous league encounter, expressed confidence, stating, "When Hapoel Tel Aviv sees us, it's a different team for over a decade." The club aims to secure their second title of the season.
Coach Kenny Miller faces selection dilemmas, particularly at left-back and striker. With Noam Ben Harush sidelined for several weeks due to a meniscus tear, Maccabi Tel Aviv lacks a natural left-back besides the young Shahar Rozen, as Dani Grover is also injured. Sagiv Yehezkel is expected to fill the left-back position, allowing Avi Davida to return to the starting lineup on the right wing.
Davida's provocative goal celebration in the previous derby, where he taunted Hapoel fans, resulted in a fine for the club and a warning for him to be more cautious. In response to this incident, Hapoel fans are reportedly preparing a "special" welcome for Davida at the upcoming match.
Miller's other tactical consideration is the striker position. In the last game against Hapoel Haifa, he benched senior striker Astor Socler, who had scored only once in his previous seven appearances, in favor of Elad Madmon. Madmon impressed by scoring and assisting against Hapoel Haifa. However, Socler remains Miller's primary striker choice, making the decision to continue with Madmon significant.
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