Hapoel Tel Aviv Coaches Express Respect and Optimism Ahead of Atalanta Conference League Playoff

Hapoel Tel Aviv is set to face Atalanta in the Conference League playoff on Thursday, with coaches Aliniv Breda and Omri Altman speaking to the media in Italy ahead of the match. Breda acknowledged the significant gap between the teams, calling Atalanta one of the strongest clubs in Europe and praising their coach Maurizio Sarri, who has complimented Hapoel. He emphasized the club's respect for their opponent and their ambition to continue performing well despite the challenge. Breda also addressed the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, stating that football should unite people and that the team will focus solely on the game.

Altman echoed the sentiment, describing the match as very difficult against possibly the strongest team in the competition. He expressed confidence in the team’s unity and work ethic, highlighting that while Hapoel lacks the individual stars Atalanta has, their collective effort could yield a positive result. Both coaches stressed their belief in overcoming the odds and making progress in the tournament.

Regarding the protests, Altman dismissed them as irrelevant to the football context, emphasizing that the sport is meant to bring people together and is not the place for political demonstrations. The team aims to focus on the game and the experience of playing in such a prestigious setting, hoping to create a strong atmosphere even while playing away from home in Hungary.