Israel National Football Team Prepares for Kosovo Match with Tactical Adjustments
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
The Israeli national football team is preparing for a match against Kosovo with potential lineup changes, including Omri Gendelman in midfield and Dor Peretz as a false nine. Coach Ran Ben Shimon is adapting tactics due to opponent analysis and potential absence of Manor Solomon due to back pain. The team will travel to Pristina with security measures in place, including hotel restrictions, and will depart for Debrecen, Hungary, after the game.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's national football team may field Omri Gendelman in midfield and Dor Peretz as a false nine against Kosovo.
- Manor Solomon's availability for the Kosovo match is uncertain due to a back injury.
- Oscar Gluch is the likely replacement if Manor Solomon cannot play against Kosovo.
- Coach Ran Ben Shimon is adjusting tactics based on opponent analysis and environmental factors.
- Security measures for the team in Pristina include hotel restrictions and immediate departure post-match.
The Israeli national football team is set to face Kosovo on Saturday with a potentially altered lineup, according to the latest training session led by coach Ran Ben Shimon. Omri Gendelman is expected to play in midfield, Dor Peretz as a false nine, and Daniel Peretz in goal. The coaching staff has analyzed Kosovo's strengths, including their height and the weather conditions in Pristina, and has opted for a different playing style to compensate for perceived disadvantages.
During training, Niv Yehoshua was favored over Gabi Kanikovsky to partner Eitan Azulai in central midfield. Gendelman and Dor Peretz were initially planned to support Manor Solomon in attack. However, Solomon is currently dealing with back pain, and his availability is uncertain. If Solomon cannot play, Oscar Gluch is slated to start in his place.
The defense is expected to remain unchanged, with Liel Abada and Roy Revivo on the wings, and Nikita Stoyanov, Idan Nahmias, and Raz Shlomo in the center. "We learned in the last two games of this campaign that the thinking needs to change," a source from the delegation explained, emphasizing the need to consider the pitch, weather, and stadium atmosphere, and acknowledging the quality of players who can come off the bench.
Beyond the uncertainty surrounding Solomon, the team hopes other players remain fit. Coach Ben Shimon also has a backup plan: if Solomon is unavailable, Gendelman would move to the bench, Dor Peretz would shift to midfield, and Idan Toklomati would play as a forward.
The team is scheduled to fly to Pristina on Thursday. The chairman of the Football Association and its vice president, Ronen Moscovitz, will accompany the delegation. Arie Hershkovitz and chef Assaf Sabach, along with Shin Bet security personnel, departed a day earlier for preliminary preparations. Players received security briefings, including restrictions on leaving the hotel. Following the match, the team will have a meal before flying to Debrecen, Hungary, and will not stay in Pristina.
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