Hapoel Tel Aviv Coach Breda Acknowledges Beitar Jerusalem's Strength After Penalty Win

Hapoel Tel Aviv began their 2026/27 season positively by defeating Beitar Jerusalem 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Europa Conference League qualifier. Coach Aliniv Breda praised Beitar as the better team during the match but highlighted his squad's resilience and determination to come back. He noted that despite working on many aspects in recent weeks, the team performed significantly worse than expected in some areas.

Breda addressed disciplinary concerns, mentioning that Doron received an early yellow card and was at risk, which influenced his decisions during the game. He also called for patience with a young player who seemed to have lost confidence. Regarding squad changes, Breda confirmed the club is actively seeking a new forward to replace Luizão, aiming to enhance quality and competition in the attacking line.

The coach expressed satisfaction with Daniel Dappa's progress, praising his goal in the season opener and his partnership with Boateng as forwards. Looking ahead to their next challenge against Ludogorets, Breda acknowledged the difficulty of the draw, describing Ludogorets as a strong Champions League-level team. He emphasized the team's commitment to their principles and confidence, promising a passionate atmosphere at their home stadium as they strive for an upset.