Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach Kenny Miller Surprises With Starting Lineup Choice

Maccabi Tel Aviv began their 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season with an away match against Hapoel Jerusalem in Rehovot on August 23, 2026. In a surprising decision, head coach Kenny Miller chose to start Noam Ben Harush, a defender who saw limited playtime last season, instead of the more regularly featured Tyrese Asante. Ben Harush had only previously started in the second leg against Sheriff Tiraspol, which was a formality after a 5-0 first-leg victory. This lineup change is likely a strategic rotation ahead of the upcoming Europa Conference League second leg against Lugano in four days. Asante passed a fitness test but was placed on the bench. Miller also paired Ben Harush with Itay Ben Hamo in defense, differing from the previous match where Ben Hamo played alongside Mohamed Ali Kamara, who also started on the bench this time. The decision reflects Miller's tactical adjustments as the team balances domestic league and European commitments.