Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Real Risk of European Elimination After Lugano Loss

Maccabi Tel Aviv is grappling with a 2-1 away defeat to Lugano on August 20, 2026, which has intensified concerns about their European campaign. Club insiders described the team's performance as lacking creativity, energy, and individual or collective ability, warning that the match could have ended with a worse scoreline. This loss, following a previous defeat to CSKA Sofia, has fueled frustration and internal criticism regarding the squad's depth and transfer strategy.

Coach Kenny Miller made only two substitutions during the game, reflecting his limited options and the club's struggle to reinforce the team. Officials acknowledged ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad but admitted that any reinforcements would arrive too late to prevent elimination from European competitions. They stressed that responsibility lies with both current players and those yet to join the team.

The club now faces a genuine threat of being ousted from all European tournaments, marking a significant setback after recent disappointing results. The situation underscores the urgent need for squad improvements to compete effectively on the continental stage.