Preview

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first time since May 25th when they secured the league title for the 26th time in the club’s history. As the league champions, Zarko Lazetic’s side host last season’s State Cup winners Hapoel Be’ersheva for the Super Cup that opens the 2025/26 campaign. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, named one debutant of his six new signings in the starting line-up as goalkeeper Yoav Gerafi was handed his first official start in a Maccabi shirt. Raz Shlomo and Nemanja Stojic teamed up to continue their partnership as the two central defenders in front of the 31-year-old keeper. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left, completed Maccabi’s defensive line.

Issouf Sissokho started in the anchorman role supported by Ido Shahar who joined the Mali midfielder in the engine room. Starting his 11th season with the senior side, Dor Peretz completed Maccabi’s midfield trio as he also led the team with the captain’s armband. Weslley Patati who switched to wear the number 10 shirt this season was named by Lazetic on one wing with Osher Davida on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman, led the line as the 21-year-old who scored 19 goals in all competitions last season, received the nod with new signing Ion Nicolaescu waiting for his chance on the bench.

As his substitutes for the match Lazetic named goalkeeper Ofek Melika, Sagiv Jehezkel, Denny Gropper, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Ben Lederman, Itamar Noy, Itay Ben Hemo, Ion Nicolaescu. 

Prior to kickoff former Maccabi player Ofir Davidzada who left the club in the summer to join Beersheva after 8 years, was presented with a framed shirt as a tribute to winning 13 trophies at Maccabi

First Half

After a nervous 10 minutes Weslley Patati burst down the left flank and was charged down by Roy Levy whi was consequently booked. Be’ersheva managed to clear Patati’s free kick which was crossed into the area but four minutes later the visitors took the lead. Eliel Peretz picked the ball deep inside Maccabi’s half before blasting a right foot shot that deflected off Raz Shlomo’s back to beat Yoav Gerafi. Two minutes later however Be’ersheva were reduced to 10 men as dismissed for a second bookable offence after a reckless tackle on Roy Revivo near the halfway line.

In the 20th minute Dor Turgeman’s pressure on Be’ersheva’s defense resulted with Osher Davida sending a toe poke that struck the base of the post. Dor Peretz pounced on the loose ball and teed up Patati who failed to keep his shot down as his effort sailed over the crossbar. Another Patati free kick this time from the right, got Be’ersheva’s defense in all sorts of problems on 26. But neither Peretz nor Revivo could get a touch before Niv Eliasi managed to collect. A minute later Tyrese Asante was booked by referee Gal Levy for a mistimed tackle while Patati was also cautioned right on the half hour mark.

In the 36th minute Maccabi had the ball in the back of the net as a well drilled corner came off Dor Peretz’ knee to strike tbe post before Nemanja Stojic managed to get the ball in. But Maccabi’s celebrations were short-lived as VAR intervened to reverse the initial decision and the goal was disallowed.

Second Half

Both Zarko Lazetic and his counterpart Ran Kuzukh didn’t make any changes after the break as the two sides returned for the second half unchanged. A clever Ido Shahar first touch in the 50th minute released Peretz to a counter attcak but the skippers’ effort from the edge of the area lacked the power it needed to beat Eliasi who plucked it with relative esse.

An unnecessary Revivo foul near the touchline saw Be’ersheva receive a free kick which Biton fired yet Gerafi and the crossbar prevented the ball from heading in. The resulting corner saw another former Maccabi player Matan Baltaxa, send a free header which narrowly cleared the crossbar. Two minutes after the hour mark Maccabi were back on level terms in spectacular fashion as Davida floated a perfect cross which was met by a Patati volley that beat Eliasi to open his account for the season.

A minute later Lazetic made his first change as Ion Nicolaescu was handed his Maccabi debut replacing Shahar. Turgeman came off and was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel as Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs on 73.

Three minutes later however Be’ersheva restored their lead as Eylon Almog volleyed Zahi Ahmad’s cross past Gerafi to make it 2-1. Revivo and Issouf Sissokho came off on 84 with Elad Madmon and Itamar Noy introduced as the midfielder made his Maccabi debut.

Patati blasted a left foot piledriver from outside the area that Eliasi managed to equal and catch on his line as Maccabi tried desperately to level once again