Maccabi Tel Aviv firing on all cylinders as perfect start to season continues

After four matches, it’s hard not to be impressed by Maccabi Tel Aviv’s play so far this season.

The yellow-and-blue are a perfect 4-0, with wins over Israeli league heavyweights Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Beersheba and Hapoel Tel Aviv, including a convincing 4-1 derby victory at Bloomfield Stadium. Kenny Miller has his squad running on all cylinders, and Maccabi appears to be a clear step above the other “big” teams in the league.

While Maccabi did win by three goals, it took the yellow-and-blue quite a while to finally put Hapoel away. The score remained 2-1 for more than a half before two late goals finally sealed the deal. Stav Turiel was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, as the referee once again had too much influence on the game, just as the officials did the previous week in Beersheba. But it is what it is, and the Reds played the yellow-and-blue tough until they finally conceded.

Unlike Beersheba’s Ran Kozuk, who had some choice words for the officiating, Hapol Tel Aviv’s Elyaniv Barda did not want to criticize the referees, instead saying that both of Turiel’s yellow cards could have been avoided.

Back to Maccabi, however, the team sits comfortably atop the table with a perfect 12 points. The yellow-and-blue will have a chance to head into the international break with five wins from five when it visits Maccabi Netanya on Saturday night. Netanya is coming off a brutal 2-0 loss to newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan in a game in which the Diamond City squad never quite looked right.

But what has really helped Miller’s squad has been the addition of Gaby Kanichowsky, who has changed the complexion of Maccabi’s gameplay. That was especially evident in his first two games back in the Holy Land after spending last season abroad in Hungary with Ferencvaros. Add another newcomer in top-flight veteran James Tavernier, who has also looked good since his arrival, and what Maccabi has is a well-oiled machine.

Gaby Kanichowsky’s Impact on Maccabi Tel Aviv

Miller had plenty to say about his new midfielder Kanichowsky and how he sees No. 16 fitting into the team with such ease.
“It’s an incredible season. Gaby’s come in and he’s obviously really familiar with the club. He’s played with a lot of these players as well before he left, and he’s fitted seamlessly into that midfield. What it does is it gives us a really, really good balance within the three players that we’ve got [in the midfield].”

As for Tavernier, it’s rare to have such a talent and an established star come to Israel, but here he is, thanks in part to his former teammate and current Maccabi bench boss, Miller. Tavernier explained why he decided to sign with the State Cup holder while also sharing warm words about his new home.

Players of Tavernier’s caliber coming to Israel should never, ever be taken for granted. Even in a good and quiet season, it would be rare for a player of his stature to be playing in Israel, and that was made crystal clear to the former Rangers star by the warmth he has received from the fans, the club, and those around him.

Having players such as Kanichowsky and Tavernier also helps the rest of the squad, whether it’s taking advantage of Kanichowsky’s incredible vision and passing ability or Tavernier’s leadership and the quality he brings to the team. That, in turn, has allowed Miller to heap praise on other players, including Osher Davida, who scored Maccabi’s second goal and continues to create havoc on the right flank – as well as in front of the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans with an Eran Zahavi-inspired goal celebration.

“As a staff, we know the qualities that Osher has. They kept telling me that two seasons ago he had a wonderful season and he had good numbers and goals and assists, and we want him to get back to that level. I think our two wingers are right at the top of their game at the moment. They’re always contributing goal chances, assists, and it was another really, really positive performance from both our wingers, as it was for everybody. The team performances over the last few weeks have been excellent. But in terms of Osher, he’s in a really good place.”

“We need to keep pushing him,” Miller continued. “We need to keep working with him to make sure he keeps that level up. He said to me about two seasons ago that he was better than he is at the moment, then he’s a very, very good player. So we’ve got him in a good place, as we have the whole group, and it’s about keeping it up. It’s about keep pushing, enjoy it, understand why we’re winning, and then move on to the next game. We’ll enjoy this, we’ll move on, as it’s about going and making sure it’s five out of five.”

Young star Noam Ben Harush elevating his play

Noam Ben Harush, who shifted from right back to left back with the arrival of Tavernier and the departure of Roy Revivo, has been a revelation as well. After spending time with both Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa, the 21-year-old was also part of the youth national team program. He has been playing so well that there is talk that Israel National Team head coach Ran Ben Shimon is planning to call him up for the four Nations League games that will be played at the end of September and early October.

“Every game he’s played this season, whether it be from the start or coming on, he’s been top,” Miller said of Ben Harush. “So, he’s taken that slot at the moment, and this is what you want. As a coach, you want players to take the jersey, keep the jersey by performing and doing the work, again, not just in games.”

“We see the performances that the players are putting in, but that’s down to the work that we put in every single day. And Noam, at the moment, he’s taking that opportunity to play left back. It’s not his position, but he’s been really, really good in that for the last two or three games. The jersey at the moment is his, and it’s up to someone else to show they’re better.”
Of course, getting up for a big game – especially a derby – should be easy. Even Miller wanted to get out onto the pitch and turn back father time.

“It’s a fantastic fixture, it really is. The one thing I would say about our fans at home and away, to be honest, but particularly at home, is when you’ve got 30,000 there supporting you, they create an incredible atmosphere for the team and for the players to go in. What player wouldn’t want to play in front of that type of atmosphere and environment tonight? It’s an incredible place to be. I would much rather be on the field where you can actually impact it!”

“As a coach, it’s a bit different. You still enjoy it, and it’s an amazing atmosphere to be part of, but there’s a lot of nerves and things that are going through your mind because you can control so much. It’s an incredible place to play this derby in front of our own fans. I always say it, it’s never taken for granted, the support that they bring from the first whistle to the last, and it was nice to send them home happy.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv aim to remain undefeated against Netanya

Next up is Netanya, and Miller wants to get that fifth win and go into the break with a big smile on his face. Sure, there is still plenty to do, but getting off to such an incredible start against the teams Maccabi has already faced and defeated is exactly what the club wanted. Now it’s on to the next one in what is a marathon, and Miller is well aware that the championship isn’t won after just a handful of games.

“It’s a long, long way to go. We’re really, really happy with the start, and I said it before, it looked a tough start on paper. But we’ve come through the first four games with maximum points, and again, for me, you move on to the next game now. That’s it. All eyes go on Saturday. It’s as simple as that.”