Beitar defeats Maccabi Tel Aviv in the capital

Beitar Jerusalem has once again proven its mettle, securing a vital 4-2 victory against rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv over the weekend. This win, fueled by goals from four different scorers, solidifies Beitar's position at the top of the Championship Playoffs table with only six matches left. The team demonstrated remarkable character, overcoming an early deficit to secure the three points at Teddy Stadium.

“

We have a lot of character, but it’s also not great to concede early goals. But we were able to come back and score a number of goals of our own. We also gave up a goal right at the break, which isn’t great to do, but at the half, I told the guys that we have to keep the foot on the gas and keep pushing. When we are at home or when we are on the road, we feel the fans, and here at Teddy, they are so critical for our success.

Coach Barak Itzhaki praised his team's resilience, acknowledging the need to address conceding early goals but emphasizing their ability to fight back. He highlighted the crucial role of home support at Teddy Stadium, stating that the fans are critical to their success, whether playing at home or away. This fighting spirit is exactly what Beitar fans expect and have come to rely on.

Meanwhile, Maccabi coach Ronny Deila expressed disappointment, citing a lack of intensity and pressure as key factors in the loss. He admitted the team was too slow on defense and held onto the ball too long on offense, failing to capitalize on their initial momentum. While Deila believes Maccabi is still in the race, the nine-point gap to the top is a significant hurdle, and a disappointing night for the club.

“

A lot of things weren’t good enough, lack of intensity and pressure, we were too late on defense, and we had too many touches on offense. After a good start, we should have used the momentum to be braver and not cowardly. This was under our standards and it was and it was a disappointing night. We need to be stronger, and while I believe that we are still in the race, we are disappointed as it’s nine points off the top of the table and a lot of things have to go our way.

Beitar's captain echoed the sentiment of unity and character, emphasizing that the team stayed together despite conceding early. He stressed the importance of home advantage and the fans' support, while acknowledging the pressure of upcoming games. The focus remains firmly on Beitar's own performance, not on the struggles of their rivals.

“

We are happy, the guys are all together as one. We showed character, and we didn’t fall apart, and we stayed together after the early goal. Playing at home is a big thing, and the fans really help us a lot. There is a lot of pressure and some great games coming up, and while Maccabi may be nine points behind us, I can’t eulogize them; I’m just concerned about Beitar Jerusalem.