Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Prepares for Tough Champions League Return at Marakana

On August 4, 2026, Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a prestigious 1-0 victory against Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, played in Belgrade. Coach Ran Kozuch praised his players for their resilience, especially after midfielder Matan Baltaksa received a red card around the 50th minute, forcing the team to endure a challenging period. Kozuch emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming return leg at the Marakana stadium in about a week, describing it as one of the toughest venues in Europe.

Looking ahead to the second leg, Kozuch outlined his strategy to maintain their style of play by pressing high, showing courage, and improving ball movement, which he felt was lacking in the first match. He acknowledged the possibility of extra time and penalties, urging his team to remain humble and prepared to sacrifice to overcome Red Star's quality. Kozuch also addressed the ongoing rebuilding process of the squad, expressing confidence in the talented players and their hunger to achieve more.

The coach conveyed a message to the fans, highlighting the challenge of the Marakana atmosphere but promising that the team will give their all to advance. He described reaching the next stage as a significant dream he hopes to fulfill with the team. The victory marks one of the club's most notable achievements in European competition history and sets the stage for a tense and demanding return leg.

Summary: Hapoel Be'er Sheva defeated Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers in Belgrade, with coach Ran Kozuch preparing his team for a tough return match at the Marakana stadium next week.

Points: - Hapoel Be'er Sheva won 1-0 away against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League third qualifying round. - Midfielder Matan Baltaksa was sent off, forcing the team to withstand pressure after the 50th minute. - Coach Ran Kozuch plans to maintain high pressing and improve ball movement in the return leg. - The return match will be played at the challenging Marakana stadium in about a week. - Kozuch emphasized the squad's rebuilding process but praised their hunger and talent. - The coach promised fans full effort to advance, calling it a significant dream for the club.

Topic: sports israel_relevant: true entities: {"people":["Ran Kozuch","Matan Baltaksa"],"organizations":["Hapoel Be'er Sheva","Red Star Belgrade"],"places":["Belgrade","Marakana stadium"]}