The intrigue died after the rout: prediction for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Sheriff
The second qualifying round clash of the Europa League between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Sheriff will take place on July 30 at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi. The Israeli side cruised to a 5-0 victory in the first leg, virtually booking their place in the next round, while the Moldovan club is left to salvage some pride after a bruising defeat.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: advantage allows them to dictate the script
Maccabi kicked off the new season by lifting the Israeli Super Cup, and then delivered an almost flawless performance in the opening leg against Sheriff. Sayed Abu Farhi broke the deadlock in just the fifth minute, and Kenny Miller's men kept up the relentless pressure, eventually sealing a 5-0 demolition.
The Israelis confidently controlled the pitch, switched play swiftly into open spaces, and consistently created numerical superiority near the opponent’s box. Even the absence of Denny Gropper and Hisham Layous shouldn't pose a major issue - the squad’s depth allows for rotation while maintaining a high level of organization.
Sheriff: open football could lead to more problems
For Sheriff, the first-leg defeat was one of their toughest results in recent memory. Previously, the Moldovan side had edged past Aluminium in the earlier qualifying round and beaten Petrocub 3-2, but were clearly unprepared for Maccabi’s intensity and rapid transitions.
Now the visitors must take risks from the outset, push their pressing line higher, and rely more on their attacking unit. Much will again depend on Conan Luku, who netted the team’s only goal in their tie with Aluminium, but an overly bold approach will inevitably leave gaps for the Israeli side to exploit on the counter.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Maccabi Tel Aviv won the first leg 5-0.
- In three of the last four matches for both teams, at least one side failed to score.
- At least three goals have been scored in five of Maccabi’s last seven matches and in three of Sheriff’s last five games.
No need to force the issue: prediction for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Sheriff
After their emphatic victory in the first leg, Maccabi have no reason to throw numbers forward constantly. The Israeli outfit can afford to play pragmatically, control the tempo, and wait for mistakes from their opponents, who will be forced to open up in a desperate bid to turn things around.
Sheriff may play the return leg with more courage and create a few dangerous moments, but overturning a five-goal deficit is virtually out of reach. With the hosts sitting comfortably, the match could be less prolific than last week, and the visitors have a decent chance to avoid another heavy defeat.
