Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces CSKA Sofia in Europa League Qualifier Amid Squad Challenges

Maccabi Tel Aviv is playing against CSKA Sofia on Thursday at 19:00 in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The match comes after a turbulent period for Maccabi, marked by the Roy Revivo controversy and a significantly depleted squad. The team is also playing without fan support due to a UEFA sanction following incidents in the previous round.

Coach Lio Varela has started with Kenny Miller and Said Abu Freihy up front, while key players Roy Revivo and Shagiv Yehezkel are absent due to uncertainty and injury, respectively. The lineup includes several players who were expected to be substitutes, with new signing Astr Sukler making his debut from the bench. Varela is positioned on the right wing, with Ido Shahar starting on the left. Shahar Rozen replaces Revivo, and Itay Ben Hamo is at right back. Tyrese Asante is also on the bench.

If Maccabi advances to the Europa League playoff, they will face OFI Crete. If they drop to the Conference League playoff, potential opponents include Swiss club Lugano or Faroe Islands’ Runavik. The team needs to perform at its best to progress.

The match started with a missed opportunity by Maccabi in the first minute when Abu Freihy found Dor Peretz alone in the box, but Peretz failed to shoot effectively. The starting lineups are: Maccabi Tel Aviv - Ofek Malika, Itay Ben Hamo, Ali Kamara, Raz Shlomo, Shahar Rozen, Issouf Sisoko, Itamar Noy, Dor Peretz, Lio Varela, Ido Shahar, Said Abu Freihy; CSKA Sofia - Lafokachov, Martino, Rodriguez, Ivanov, Pastor, Gbamin, Sensi, Jordao, Pitas, Abong, Godoy.