Rivalry resumes as Maccabi Tel Aviv returns to Winner League
Three days after a 0-0 Europa League stalemate with PAOK in Thessaloniki, Maccabi Tel Aviv headed to Doha Stadium in Sakhnin for a Winner League clash against Bnei Sakhnin. The famous yellow-and-blue outfit arrived with a perfect league record (four wins) but faced a demanding schedule with upcoming games against Dinamo Zagreb and Maccabi Haifa looming on the horizon. Coach Zarko Lazati07 continued to shuffle the pack, handing starting roles to Heitor, Dani Gruber, Ido Shahar, Helio Varla and Elad Madmon, while Roy Rabibo watched from the stands after his red card against Hapoel Jerusalem.”
Starting XI and tactical setup
The lineup for Maccabi featured Roi Mefisti, Terris Assanta, Mohamed Ali Kamara, Heitor, Dani Gruber, Cristian Blitz, Ido Shahar, Dor Peretz, Helio Varla, Shagiv Yazak, and Elad Madmon. The visitors attempted to impose early pressure on a 1,200-strong Sakhnin crowd, aiming for a fast-start and a statement win that would sustain their unbeaten run in the league.
First half: early leads and VAR controversy
The hosts defended with grit, but Maccabi carved out the early chances. In the fifth minute, Elad Madmon found space in the box and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar, signaling the visitors’ intent to strike first. The game’s momentum swung on a contentious moment in the 15th minute when a harsh foul by Otang on Ido Shahar near the edge of the box drew a yellow card, but after a VAR review the referee reversed the initial call and produced a straight red card for Otang.
Despite playing a man up, Maccabi could not convert their numerical advantage. In the minutes that followed, Sakhnin’s defense held firm as the visitors piled on pressure: a volley by Varla, a close-range effort from Heitor, and other half-chances were thwarted by the home goalkeeper. A clever free-kick found Christian Blitz free inside the box, yet the defender cleared the danger just as his shot threatened the corner of the net. By the half-hour mark, the ball repeatedly found the feet of Maccabi attackers in dangerous positions, but Sakhnin’s goalkeeper and defense stood tall to preserve parity. The period ended goalless, with Maccabi still pressing for a breakthrough but failing to notch the decisive moment.
Second half: tweaks and a late scare
Lazati07 began the second half with changes, bringing on Krovin Andrada for Dani Gruber and shifting Warla to left back to maintain width. The tactical move did little to spark a sustained attack, and the tempo drifted into a tense stalemate as Sakhnin clung to their shape and discipline. In the 61st minute, Warla was withdrawn as part of further adjustments, while the clock ticked toward a dramatic finale.
At 69 minutes, Roy Mefosti produced a crucial save to deny a Sakhnin hit from close range, underscoring the match’s chaotic and highly contested nature. A planned double substitution followed, with Itamar Noy and Sa Abu Fr61hi readied to enter, but a foul on Ibrahim Drami by Andrada heightened tensions and resulted in a red card that, after VAR intervention, was downgraded to a yellow. The match stayed on a knife-edge as Lazati07 refused to overcommit, keeping his side within reach of a late winner.
With time running out and the match in stoppage time, a cross from Shgab Yehazkel found the head of Terris Santana for a late attempt that tested Sakhnin’s shot-stopper. The keeper parried the effort, and the referee immediately signaled for a penalty. The ensuing spot-kick added another layer of drama, as Maccabi’s goalkeeper, having already been booked for time-wasting earlier, faced a disciplinary cliff-edge that culminated in a second yellow and a red card. With no substitutions left, Ayad Abu Abid donned the goalkeeper kit and prepared to assume duties between the posts, as the clock expired on a tense, goalless draw.
What it means going forward
For Maccabi Tel Aviv, the point from Sakhnin keeps their strong league start intact, but the congested fixture list looms large. The coaches will need to balance rotation with the quest for consistency as they prepare for high-stakes fixtures against Dinamo Zagreb and Maccabi Haifa. The draw also underscored the depth and grit of Lazati07’s squad, who battled through VAR decisions, red cards, and a staunch Sakhnin defense to secure a point away from home.
