We don’t like to lose
Friday, February 26, 2021
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Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Patrick van Leeuwen summed up the two-legged tie between his team and Shakhtar in the Europa League Round of 32
- It seemed that Maccabi did not risk enough late in the game. Maybe it was worth exposing yourselves more?
- We took risks and charged forward. I think we rightfully scored the disallowed goal. My players were targeted on goal, if only they would use their chances to make the score at least 2-1.
- Your team surprised with their aggressiveness and will to score, but what did you lack to claim a positive result?
- In the first half, we often delivered crosses, but the players were not at their positions. Had everyone been exactly at their positions, they would probably have managed to score some goals. We made many deliveries, perhaps we could’ve used our chance.
- Have you reviewed the unruled goal replay?
- The first leg is history now. As for this game, then, of course, I can criticize and argue with the referee. It was clearly visible on the replay that there was a goal and no rule violation.
- Is it frustrating to return home after a great play but with no result?
- We don't like to lose. We wanted to win, but failed. We try to set goals and fulfil them. We’ve already finished our Europa League campaign, we will return to Tel Aviv and prepare for the next match.
- Are you proud of your team's performance in the two-legged tie against Shakhtar?
- In the first game we created chances, just like we did it in the second one. In the first half, we could’ve scored, targeted the goal but, unfortunately, we failed.
- How would you rate your players’ performance in the Europa League?
- I think we’ve covered quite a path because the team managed to advance from the group and reach the Round of 32. We must continue working. We understand what we want to change and will try to do it.
- If the president wants to extend the deal with you, what will you say to that?
- It's too early to think about the future. We want to develop further and progress in each match, and not think about what they will offer me.
- Did your players gain experience and confidence for further performance in European competitions?
- The whole team played well. We showed that we can perform in Europe. Of course, we need to learn to convert our every chance instead of just single episodes.