Hapoel Be'er Sheva Experts Advise Mental Focus for Champions League Clash at Marakana

Ahead of Hapoel Be'er Sheva's crucial Champions League third qualifying round match against Red Star Belgrade at the Marakana stadium, analysts Nir Klinger and Itay Shechter shared insights on how the Israeli team should prepare and play. Be'er Sheva holds a valuable 1-0 lead from the first leg and faces a hostile atmosphere in Belgrade.

Klinger emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and mental readiness, drawing from his experience with Maccabi Tel Aviv at PAOK's stadium. He advised arriving early to absorb the stadium atmosphere and avoiding provocations to the crowd. He also highlighted the significance of small details, such as managing player discipline, referencing the red card of Matan Baltaksa as a critical factor. Tactical adjustments were noted as important, especially since Red Star improved after Zlatanovic's substitution in the previous game.

Former player Itay Shechter added that Be'er Sheva must balance calmness with aggression, urging coach Ran Kojuch to find his tactical patterns and instill confidence. Shechter warned against retreating early in the match, noting Red Star's physical strength. He described the upcoming game as a mental battle between the two coaches, Kojuch and Stankovic, and stressed that Be'er Sheva should rely on their resilience and play their own style of football.

The analysis underscores the psychological and tactical challenges Be'er Sheva faces as they seek to advance in the Champions League against a formidable opponent in a challenging environment.