Hapoel Be'er Sheva Prepares for Historic Champions League Playoff Clash Against Sabah

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is set to face Sabah in Bucharest on Wednesday at 22:00 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff. The Israeli champions are just two matches away from making a historic appearance in the group stage of Europe's premier club competition. Coach Ran Kozoch and captain Miguel Vitor spoke at a press conference ahead of the crucial encounter, expressing both excitement and focus. Kozoch described Sabah as a highly skilled and fast team capable of punishing opponents on counterattacks and set pieces, emphasizing the need for concentration and readiness to secure a favorable result for the return leg. He called this moment one of the biggest in his coaching career and highlighted the hard work and attention to detail that brought the club to this stage.

Despite a challenging start to the season, including a loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Super Cup and key player departures, Kozoch remained optimistic. He praised his current squad, noting that many players have not received the recognition they deserve and hopes the upcoming matches will demonstrate their quality. Kozoch also addressed the signing of Jonas Malede, comparing it to previous transfers from Maccabi Tel Aviv and expressing confidence in Malede's potential to revive his career and contribute significantly.

Captain Miguel Vitor shared his excitement about returning to this level of competition, describing it as a dream for any footballer. He stressed the importance of attention to detail and avoiding easy goals, viewing the match as evenly balanced and decided by small moments. Vitor urged the team to stick to their style of play despite the pressure and noted that this game will differ from their previous European matches, such as against Red Star Belgrade. He also expressed longing for the fans and home atmosphere, recalling the intense support during their Europa League group stage matches and hoping to bring similar joy to supporters by advancing to the Champions League group stage, even though the team cannot play in Be'er Sheva itself.