Maccabi Tel Aviv concluded their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening, with a 1-0 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk.
✅ 1/16 финала 🔜 1/8 финала!
— ⚒FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK (@FCShakhtar) February 25, 2021
Продолжаем наш путь в Лиге Европы! 🧡#UEL #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/FBVH6UCCY3
Maccabi delivered a decent performance in the first match last week, although they have been defeated 2-0. There was still hope that they could make a comeback. An unusual scene was in the stadium, as more than 10,000 people were allowed to enter and support the local team.
The Israeli champions played well and had some chances to score. The best chance was in the 47th minute, when Aleksandar Pešić assisted Dor Peretz, just like they both have done in Maccabi's last match. Although Peretz scored, the referee disallowed the goal after calling for a foul of Pešić.
In the 66th minute, a crucial mistake has been made. Tal Ben Haim fouled Tete in the box, and Shakhtar was awarded a penalty kick. Junior Morais took the shot and scored the goal that eventually was the only one in the match. The Ukrainian side is celebrating, as they will play in the Europa League round of 16 for the second season in a row.
מסע אירופי שהחל בחודש אוגוסט הגיע לסיומו עם תחושות של גאווה, כבוד וגם פספוס. עם הקבוצה הזו, השחקנים האלו, אנחנו ממשיכים לקרבות החשובים שיש לנו העונה. יאללה מכבי! 💛 https://bit.ly/3bxcw4I
Posted by Maccabi Tel Aviv FC - מועדון הכדורגל מכבי ת"א on Thursday, 25 February 2021
Eliminated, but not desperate
The European campaign is over for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but it might bring hope for the next seasons. They keep their continuous European success after reaching the Europa League group stage for the fifth time in ten seasons. They also became the second Israeli club to qualify twice to the knockout stage in the UEFA Cup or the Europa League.
Yet, a look at their coefficients shows a significant effect on their recent results. Maccabi won eight points in the UEFA Club Ranking, their best season since 2014. Their progress could be important for the next seasons if they would like to repeat their success. According to predictions, Maccabi Tel Aviv could be easily high-ranked in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League next season.
There is also one important thing that Maccabi Tel Aviv will take from this season. The high prize money from this campaign could mark the end of the Financial Fair Play breach. In 2018, Maccabi Tel Aviv was punished by UEFA and made the club change the policy by using more home-grown players.
This season could be a game-changer for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israeli football, but would they take the dominance back?
Photo by Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
