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Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch assured the night before the first leg of the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday (9 pm on LIVE and on DAZN) in Israel that there were no concerns about the numerous crown cases with the opponents Maccabi Tel Aviv. .
“We are not afraid of Corona and we are ready,” Marsch explains Monday night. A lockdown is currently being imposed in Israel, with seven Maccabi players and seven supervisors each testing positive.
“It’s relatively difficult for the opponent at the moment,” said Marsch, who had publicly positioned himself against Israel as the host last week. “But the moment UEFA said we were going to play in Tel Aviv, it was not a problem for me,” he says.
Despite the unusual starting position, the American was convinced: “Maccabi have a great team. We are not naive. We understand that we have to fight tomorrow.”
“Corona Septet”: Maccabi does not want to look for excuses
Macccabi coach Georgios Donis had already commented on the special situation. Featuring Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Daniel Peretz, Nick Blackman, Enric Saborit, Yonatan Cohen and Dan Glazer, a “Corona septet” will be missing.
“I’m not here to make excuses. We have 16 to 18 players ready,” Greek Donis said, but also said: “We changed the original plan for the game.”
Defensive veteran Eitan Tibi evoked faith and solidarity and recalled the recent entry into the group stage of CL 2015/16. At that point, they eliminated FC Basel in the playoff 1-1 at home and 2-2 away. “We didn’t have a chance against Basel, but we did something no one believed in,” said the 32-year-old Israeli international.
“We know that the club has degenerated a lot”
“The current plan is for the match to take place tomorrow,” Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund said on Monday before departure.
Regardless of health concerns, UEFA’s Crown regulations have so far allowed it to take place. 13 outfield players plus 2 goalkeepers must be healthy to play a game. In addition, an unlimited number of young players can be nominated on a B list. Freund was sure that Maccabi would do his best to celebrate the match at Bloomfield Stadium behind closed doors. “And UEFA will want to do that too, as long as it is acceptable in terms of health.”
The virus has been in the club for a long time. With Dan Glazer, the starting point is likely to be a player whose infection was known a few days ago. It didn’t stop there. According to press reports on Monday morning, 14 cases are now known (7 players, 7 supervisors). Freund explained: “We know that there is an extremely large number of infections in Israel and that this has now also degenerated in the club.”
The Salzburg squad had previously reported concerns about the blockade imposed on Israel after dramatic infection rates. With harsh criticism of the European association, savings were initially made on Monday. “UEFA is looking forward to trying again today and maybe tomorrow, if there are more (cases, note),” said Freund.
“It can only influence what is in our power”
The smallest convoy from Salzburg (about 45 people) boarded the plane to Tel Aviv with a “strange feeling” (friend). The opponent himself is dealing with the situation “professionally,” Freund said. “They go out of their way to keep us updated.” Maccabi also tries to ensure the safety of the residents of Salzburg in the best possible way. “Whether it’s hotel accommodation or airport driving, they are very supportive.”
Salzburg’s efforts to be professional also flew with me. “We can only influence what is in our power. We are flying there now, doing a good final training session and aiming to win tomorrow,” Freund said. “Everything that happens around us will be blocked as best as possible.”
In sports terms, you meet an opponent now completely unpredictable. Half of the regular team is canceled by the Israeli title holder. Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Daniel Peretz, Nick Blackman, Enric Saborit, Yonatan Cohen and Glazer all tested positive according to Israeli media.
“When the game takes place, we have to be completely there”
One can hardly speak of fair competition. Freund also saw “effects”, which should not change anything in his own approach. “It’s still a qualifying game and it’s about a lot, a lot. When the game takes place, we have to be completely there, no matter which players are on the other side.” Faced with a “strange and difficult” situation, coach Jesse Marsch said: “Our performance, motivation and mindset is what we can control.”
It is quite possible that a preliminary decision will be made before the return leg in Salzburg the following Wednesday. If the Austrian subscription champion survives this round, he will be in the premier class group stage for the second time in a row. The Salzburgs have failed in eleven attempts so far on the qualifying route.
Marsch refused to impose a speed limit on his team for the twelfth attempt. “Our goal is to keep the pace high despite the likely high temperatures at the site.” The injured Zlatko Junuzovic and Oumar Solet will not participate, as well as Jerome Onguene, for whom there was no place in the squad. The game is directed by the top English referee Michael Oliver.
Text as: © LAOLA1.at
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