Maccabi Tel Aviv's Varela Assists and Gets Injured Ahead of Lugano Clash

Four days before Maccabi Tel Aviv's crucial second-leg match against Lugano, winger Helio Varela sustained an injury during a Premier League game against Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday. Varela, 24, delivered an assist for Dor Peretz's third goal after a remarkable 45-meter sprint but was forced off in the 63rd minute, replaced by Hisham Laius. Having joined Maccabi Tel Aviv late this season following his World Cup appearances, Varela has started every match so far and completed full 90-minute games against CSKA Sofia and Lugano, including the recent 2-1 loss to the Swiss side. He was expected to start in the upcoming return leg on Thursday. Meanwhile, Varela has attracted interest from several clubs, with Maccabi Tel Aviv setting a transfer price of 4.5 million euros for the winger.