The latest round of UEFA Conference League qualifiers delivered a mixed bag of outcomes for Israeli clubs, with Hapoel Tel Aviv emerging victorious, Beitar Jerusalem slipping to defeat, and Maccabi Tel Aviv facing a heavy loss.
Hapoel Tel Aviv not only took a 2‑0 win over Katowice, thanks to strikes from Stav Turiel and Roi Alkukin, but also praised the energizing presence of their supporters in Hungary, a factor the manager believes amplified the team’s performance.
Managerial Reflections
Elyaniv Barda, head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv, acknowledged that while his side could have extended the margin, the victory positioned them to meet Italian Serie A side Atalanta in the upcoming playoffs.
Beitar Jerusalem’s manager Almog Cohen expressed disappointment after a 2‑1 loss to Austria Wien, noting the Austrian side’s high tempo and the need for his team to match that intensity in the return leg.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s manager Kenny Miller laid bare defensive frailties, citing frequent turnovers and conceding goals at crucial moments after a 3‑0 defeat to CSKA Sofia, and called for immediate corrective measures.
Hapoel Beersheba also progressed, edging Red Star Belgrade 1‑0, and now awaits the winner of a clash between Sabah and Aarhus in the next playoff round.
The upcoming fixtures promise further drama, as Hapoel Tel Aviv prepares for a showdown with Atalanta, while Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv must engineer comebacks to keep their European dreams alive.