Hapoel Be'er Sheva Finalizes Lineup for Crucial Champions League Qualifier in Baku

Hapoel Be'er Sheva has completed preparations for their decisive Champions League playoff match against Azerbaijan's Sabah FC, scheduled for Tuesday at 19:45 in Baku. The Israeli champions won the first leg 2-1 last week in Bucharest and aim to secure their historic first-ever qualification to the Champions League group stage. A victory would make them the fourth Israeli team to reach this stage, following Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the first since the competition format changed to a league phase.

Coach Ran Kojuch confirmed that the starting lineup will remain unchanged from the first leg. Pedro Amador will continue at left back, with Itay Rotman partnering Miguel Vitor in central defense. Jovan East and Zahi Ahmed will support Igor Zlatanovic in the attacking trio. The match will take place at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, which holds about 31,000 spectators and serves as the home ground for Qarabağ FK, not Sabah FC's usual venue. Approximately 23,000 fans are expected, including 600 Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters who paid just 11 shekels for tickets.

The confirmed starting eleven includes goalkeeper Ofir Marciano, defenders Guy Mizrahi, Miguel Vitor, Itay Rotman, and Pedro Amador, midfielders Lucas Ventura, Niv Yehoshua, and Eliel Peretz, and forwards Jovan East, Zahi Ahmed, and Igor Zlatanovic. The team is focused on completing the task and making history by advancing to the Champions League group stage for the first time.