Hapoel Tel Aviv Holds Atalanta to Scoreless Draw in Champions League Qualifier

Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved a remarkable 0-0 away draw against Atalanta in Bergamo on Thursday, a result celebrated as a historic moment for the Israeli club, which only two years ago played in the second division. Despite a vast difference in squad market values, Hapoel's 17.5 million euros versus Atalanta's 418 million, the Israeli team showed no inferiority, executing a disciplined and confident performance under coach Eliniv Bereda. Bereda, a former player with European success for Hapoel, was praised for outmaneuvering Atalanta's Maurizio Sarri, one of Italy's top coaches.

Key players included goalkeeper Asaf Tzur, who made crucial saves late in the match, and captain Fernan Mayembo, who delivered a flawless performance. The team played without their star player, Stav Toriel, sidelined with a hamstring injury, with Douglas Aveso stepping in effectively. Emmanuel Boateng also featured but left the game due to a strain, with Daniel Dappa likely to replace him in the second leg. Hapoel's approach was to play their usual game and not merely defend, which earned them respect and optimism ahead of the return leg in Hungary next week.

Atalanta, a Champions League regular that recently eliminated Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea before bowing out to Bayern Munich, fielded stars like Brazilian international Adrson and Italian national team player Giacomo Raspadori. Despite this, Hapoel matched them shot for shot and created better chances. Sarri acknowledged the physicality and quality of Hapoel, noting his team's ongoing rebuilding process and the need to improve for the second leg.

Approximately 2,000 Hapoel fans traveled to Bergamo, creating an impressive pyrotechnic display. However, Italian police seized 45 kilograms of pyrotechnics from a Bergamo apartment linked to two Israeli fans, potentially leading to UEFA sanctions including a possible fan ban. This follows a previous conditional punishment for Hapoel due to fan flares in a prior match. The goalless draw gives Hapoel hope of causing a major upset in the second leg in Hungary, where even more supporters are expected to attend than the 5,000 who traveled to the previous qualifier.

Summary: Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo, defying odds with a disciplined performance and setting up a decisive second leg in Hungary next week. Coach Eliniv Bereda was praised for his tactical success against Maurizio Sarri, while the team’s resilience and fan support stood out despite injury challenges and potential UEFA sanctions over pyrotechnics.