Maccabi Tel Aviv took a big step towards the Europa League with a 3-0 win over TSC Backa Topola in the first leg of their Playoff Round tie against the Serbian foe. The yellow-and-blue, playing their home match in Hungary due to the ongoing war with Hamas, controlled the pace of play from the outset versus an overmatched TSC which was coupled by a pair of red cards late in the first half for the visitors as Zarko Lazetic’s squad eased to the victory.

Maccabi found the back of the goal in the 27th minute when Dor Turgeman pounded in a Dor Peretz rebound to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Things went from bad to worse for TSC near the end of the first half when Mateja Dordevic yanked down an active Turgeman from behind after catching on to a Peretz ball to reduce the Serbians to ten men. Just minutes later Mihajlo Banjac was shown a straight red card when he went studs up in on Issouf Sissokho leaving TSC with just 9 players for the entire second half of play.

After a trio of wholesale substitutions in the 62nd minute, Maccabi doubled their advantage when Peretz headed home a smart Turgeman ball while Elad Madmon chipped home the third marker off a Dan Bitton cross to wrap up the win.

“It’s a great victory but the work is not yet done,” Lazetic began. “We have a game in a week and we have to prepare for it. We will do everything to finish the job next Thursday. I am especially pleased with the ability we showed when we were still playing 11 on 11. It was easier for us that way, I’m very satisfied with this part of the game, we scored, we played well and we didn’t allow any counterattacks. In the second half they defended well and they deserve credit for that, but we scored two more goals. Again, this is only the first game and there will be a rematch.”

Dor Turgeman, who is rumored to be heading to CSKA Moscow in Russia spoke about the victory, “It is an important step ahead of next week, but we still have another game to play to complete the job there. We started the match well, scored a goal as they received two red cards and I am delighted we scored two more in the second half. Our aim was to score as many goals as possible.

“Against 9 men who are sitting on the edge of the box it’s not easy. One has to be patient which is what we were as we scored two more goals. Right now, my head is only at Maccabi Tel Aviv and I am delighted with this victory. Next week, we will be a 100% prepared and hope to reach the next stage.”

Youngster Elad Madmon, who entered the game in the 75th minute spoke about playing for the yellow-and-blue after transferring from Hapoel Hadera, “I’m so happy to score, especially that it’s for the biggest club in Israel. I hope that in the league and in the other competitions I’ll score too and do a good job for the team and even if I don’t then I’ll play well and have fun. We played a very good game, I hope that in the next game we won’t take our foot off the gas and we will continue to score and win as well.”

“Scoring a debut goal in Europe, there are no words to describe it, this is incredible,” he added. “I hope to continue like this and I will continue to work hard and give everything I can to prove that my place is on the pitch. I made a big jump from Hadera and I’m happy about it, certainly to play for such a club. Now, I hope we be ready for the next game, win and qualify for the next stage.”

There were a number of Israelis also in continental action as Omri Gandelman and Gent played against Bibras Natcho and Partizan Belgrade in UEFA Conference League action as the former had the upper hand in their two-pegged playoff round tie. Gandelman scored the lone goal in their matchup in Belgrade to take a 1-0 lead after the first leg.

Gandelman who has scored 13 goals in his last 17 games for Gent spoke about the victory, “I know that I can help the team with goals from my position, even if they are dead ball situations like in this game. As soon as I enter the box, I know that I can be dangerous. Since I arrived to play with Gent, I have been working every day with assistant coach Daniel Militchevich. In the box, outside of it, how to move, leaping for headers and finishing. I have made great progress, it’s nice that I can take advantage what I have been working on during the games themselves.”

HT 0-1 | Omri doing what Omri does best 😎 Keep going! 💪#PARGNT #UECL pic.twitter.com/wbfdH7Z7k6

— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) August 22, 2024

“It wasn’t easy,” Gandelman continued. “We started the first half well with my goal. After the halftime break, however, things got a little tougher, but this is quite a rivalry. We will learn the necessary lessons to finish the job at home next week, because it is not yet finished yet.”

Omer Atzily contributed an assist on the 6th goal of 6-0 Omonia Nicosia win over Zire in Conference League playoff round play as the Cypriot squad took a massive 1st leg advantage into next week’s second leg.

Oscar Gloukh’s Red Bull Salzburg side defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Champions League playoff round first leg action.