The 2023/24 season in Israeli football will conclude tonight (Thursday) at 20:30 definitively when Maccabi Petach Tikva and Hapoel Beer Sheva will meet in the final of the State Cup at Bloomfield Stadium for one game for the title. The coaches of the two teams spoke today about the preparations for the match at a press conference which was transmitted live here on the website.
Elyaniv Barda He was asked about the preparations after the bad period and said: “There is the fact that a coach can help a player and get him ready, and there is another thing that a player should come as prepared as possible, which is both team and personal. Our players are very mature and intelligent, understand the magnitude of the class and importance. We can’t afford for even a second to be less than 200 percent in this game. the lineup? The wheels work until the preparation for the game is finished.”
The coach was asked who would start in goal and said: “We will prepare for the game with all the players and make the best decision for the team. The state of the group? We had bad results in the last few games and we want to fix that and end the season in a better and happier way. In one game we have to come the most focused and focused with the most hunger in the world.”
On the reasons for the decrease in ability: “I think there are many reasons, but the most important thing is to concentrate on what is tomorrow. the audience? This is the best thing that has to be. His strengths and his push is something that the players feel every moment, we need him in a positive atmosphere and with good energies, hopefully we will bring them home happy. the staff? There is another day, we will have to see.”
About the opponent: “Maccabi Pat” is an excellent and aggressive team. We will have to be ready for their pace, the pressure and all the advantages, and hope that we come and be the best we can be. We prepared all week, we know each other and know, we are playing against a very talented and aggressive team, we will also have to be there in every parameter.”
On the expulsions in the last games: “It’s something we talk about a lot, both about the expulsions and not getting absorbed in the first minutes. These are things that change the game plan. These are two things that we will definitely have to consider, but things that can decide a game. Sure it’s one game and can’t be fixed. We need to be ready. my future? I had good conversations with the owner, right now all that matters is the game tomorrow.”
Ran Kozhuk Petah: “A bit of an event for us. We managed to rest a bit, players who were a bit injured got back to business. We are 10 days scheduled for the game. Let’s hope we succeed. What do you need to do to swing? win the game the staff? My roster is full. We still haven’t decided who the 20 will be at our disposal, let’s hope we make the right decisions.”
On the fact that BS is coming in a good position: “A few weeks ago, we played in the semi-finals against Nof HaGalil, who ran over the national team at the time, and we did not have good results in the league, in the end we knew how to bring the quality even though they even said they were favorites. We don’t mess around. BS is a big team, probably from Maccabi Petah Tikva, for everything related to who is the favorite in this game, we don’t imagine we are there. Prospects? In a given game they are 50-50, we will join in doing a lot of things to bridge the quality gaps, but the chances are 50-50”.
“The atmosphere in the club? I can say we want it very much. We have had a difficult season. The group didn’t start well and things didn’t work out and then I arrived and it started to work out. The players invested a lot this season and I don’t think there will be anything sweeter than ending it with the cup.”
“I think that also in terms of experience, Hapoel BS has the advantage. We will join in bringing a lot of things to the game that will balance the forces. If we manage to bring it throughout the game then we can dream. This is an event that most of my players are not used to. This is another event. It’s not like anything we’ve experienced during the league and not like the quarter finals against Maccabi Tel Aviv, we’ll have to stay in the game the whole time, no matter what the result is. If we know how to do it, then we will have a chance.”
The coach was asked about the personal difference from last season: “I am the same person with more experience. I feel about myself that I have progressed, it has nothing to do with the result tomorrow by the way, I know that there are still days in which I will have to develop further. Why am I not signed for next season? I don’t think there is any super reason. We have a very good relationship, we talk about it, we are preparing for the next season, for me it is a formal matter, I really enjoy it and know that I am appreciated. That’s the only thing. Beyond that, it’s speculation.”
“Did we practice penalties? We didn’t practice. I think when you get to the moment nothing can get you used to it. Did I imagine when I arrived that we would reach the final? When I get to the place I don’t deal with the future, but with everyday life. In the first moments we went through difficult days, there was almost no time to train and the results were not good, so we were busy the next day and it was throughout the season. This is what kept us going this season, certainly in the league, he concluded.”
Miguel Vitor He added: “There is no one who would like to reach the final with a streak of three losses but with better wins and momentum, but tomorrow is a different game and our mind will not be on the last games, it will be on the fact that this is one final and we have a chance to make history. We forgot the last games and are focused on tomorrow’s game and bringing the trophy to our city.”
“11 goals in 3 games? It’s not the DNA of our group, it’s something we talked about. We started the games badly with a goal in the first minute and that’s something we talked about last week that it can’t happen, certainly not tomorrow it’s over and there’s no time to change it. We have to start concentrated with energy, it is not something that can happen to concede so many goals. Like the team, we haven’t been good in the last few games, because I think that defensive work is not only for the defense, but for the whole team. We saw what we need to improve, I’m sure that tomorrow we’ll see ourselves in a different way, we’ll start the game the way we should and we’ll win the cup.”
The mistake that led to Edom against Maccabi Tel Aviv: “This is history for us. Mistakes can happen, but not as much as what happened to us. We understand it, everyone looks at themselves and don’t blame others because we know that mistakes can happen, when everyone is focused on the game then players cover the mistakes of others. Our DNA was before each covering up for the other’s mistakes. We need to return to our spirit, our DNA and the little things.”
Vitor was asked about the fact that the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans did not influence the game against Ashdod: “If you ask a player what he would prefer, he would prefer to have 25,000 fans with him and not against him, I am sure they will push us tomorrow and give us support, but in the end we will have to do the work on the field . It’s amazing that we have their support, I hope we can make them happy and bring the cup.”
“The decision to continue was with myself and the family, Israel is like my home and I feel amazing here, everyone here gave me love and support even during difficult times, I think that for me professionally and for my family it was the right decision. I’m happy to stay here, I think my kids would be more than happy to continue for another two years. In the end it’s a good decision for everyone. the team? I don’t think it’s relevant now, I can say that I will always be ready to help the team. Now is not the right moment and we are here to talk about the trophy”, he concluded.
Tomer Levy He added: “I am the last remnant of the last final. We make the separation between what happens in the league and the cup, there are veteran players who know how to separate and reach the highest level of readiness. There is an excellent team preparing us. We have been working for the last few days for this game, the team is ready, the players are ready, we are just waiting to get to the grass and do what we have to do.”
“There is no doubt that for me this is the highlight of my career. The previous final was in Corona and without an audience, today’s feelings are different. The teams are completely different, the coach is different, the biggest dream is just to lift the trophy. Unequivocally, it goes through our minds to wave, we reached the final by virtue and not by grace. Players talk and want it. It boils down to one game and for us it’s just around the corner,” he added.
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