Match recap: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Europa League)
Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a 3-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League, the team’s second group-stage outing. The match was staged at the TSC Stadium in Bačka Topola, Serbia, with the Yellow & Blue lineup rotated after a fasting period that ended only hours before kickoff. The result leaves the Israeli side looking to regroup ahead of their next European test.
Three Israeli players started the match: a goalkeeper and two outfielders, reflecting the club’s decision to field a lighter squad after the pause. The visitors, however, began with intent and controlled much of the early play, even establishing a lead in the 14th minute. A long ball from Ro’i Mishpati’s teammates found Said Abu Parahi in the channel, and his through ball released the forward into the box. The finish was not perfectly struck, but it was enough to beat the keeper, giving Maccabi Tel Aviv a 0-1 advantage.
Two minutes later Dinamo Zagreb responded in quick fashion. A stray pass from Ali Kamara gifted the visitors possession in a dangerous area, and Matej Lisicic pounced with a low effort from outside the box that found the corner, leveling the score at 1-1 and removing any early comfort for the hosts.
Just a few minutes after that, Dinamo Zagreb added another. Dejan Ljubičić received a cut-back in space and fired a composed shot from the edge of the area past Mishpati to make it 1-2 for the Croatian side. The quick double from Zagreb jolted the hosts, who were left to chase the game in front of their own fans and in front of a Serbian venue transport-friendly to European nights.
As the first half wore on, Maccabi Tel Aviv pushed to restore parity but found the Croatian defense well organized and compact. The halftime whistle left the score at 1-2, with the visitors well in control and the home team still searching for a second spark from their rotated lineup.
Substitutions at the hour mark—Oshar Davida, Dor Peretz, and Raz Shlomo entering the fray—were aimed at injecting energy and width, but Dinamo Zagreb remained dangerous on the counter. The encounter’s decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute when Lisicic struck again from outside the box, whipping a low drive beyond Mishpati to cap a personal brace and seal the 1-3 scoreline for Zagreb.
Despite late efforts from Maccabi Tel Aviv to claw back a goal, Zagreb’s defense held firm, and the hosts could not find a second breakthrough. The final whistle confirmed a loss for the Israeli side, their first of the Europa League campaign this season, and a reminder that even with a rotated squad, the competition’s intensity demands precision and resilience from the opening whistle.
Looking ahead, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s next European fixture is scheduled for October 23, when they host Mitioulan. In domestic duty, they return to Liga action against Maccabi Haifa on the upcoming Sunday, a quick test of form as they aim to rebound from this European setback.
Tactical notes and context
Rotation and the fasting factor
Coach decisions to rotate the lineup were driven by a fasting period, impacting the bench strength and pace. The shift allowed Dinamo Zagreb to seize momentum early and exploit any gaps created by a less familiar back line.
Key moments that defined the night
The quick equalizer and the second goal from Dinamo Zagreb changed the game’s tempo, forcing Maccabi Tel Aviv into a chase that proved challenging to complete. Zagreb’s late strike from distance underscored the difficulty of erasing deficits against a well-drilled Croatian side.
What’s next for the teams
For Maccabi Tel Aviv, European hopes remain alive but hinge on performance in upcoming fixtures. The club will look to tighten a leaky defense and maximize the behind-closed-doors training time while preparing for the next European date against Mitioulan on October 23. domestically, a strong showing against Maccabi Haifa will be essential to maintain momentum in the league race.
Bottom line
Dinamo Zagreb delivered a clinical display to outpace Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 in the Europa League, capitalizing on an early goal, a swift turnaround, and a late clinching strike. The result highlights the gap that can emerge when rotations meet European pace, but it also sets the stage for a renewed battle in the coming fixtures.
