Beitar Jerusalem returns to action Sunday with a trip to Rechovot to face Hapoel Ramat Gan, looking to extend its three-game winning streak from before the international break. Almog Cohen’s side will take on the newly promoted club for the second time this season, having already faced them in the Toto Cup, before turning its attention to a highly anticipated home clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv at Teddy Stadium.

The yellow-and-black will have nearly a full squad available, giving Cohen plenty of options when selecting his starting lineup and substitutes. As the coach has acknowledged, having so many choices is a good problem to have. However, left-back Yarden Cohen, a key figure last season, remains sidelined after an injury that required minor surgery.

While the coach expects Cohen to return sooner than initially anticipated, Timoti Muzie has stepped up admirably in his absence. The versatile wing-back offers Beitar pace, energy and attacking quality, covering plenty of ground while contributing going forward.

Last season, the 25-year-old primarily came off the bench, often making an immediate impact. He scored several crucial goals, including a vital equalizer against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the championship playoffs and a winner against Maccabi Bnei Reineh. He also scored a hat-trick against Hapoel Petah Tikva last October.

Muzie has shown he can cause problems for opponents whether deployed in midfield, on the wing or at wing-back, making him a valuable asset for the yellow-and-black. Questions remain, however, about his ability to establish himself as a regular starter and which position best suits him. Perhaps he simply needs a sustained run of games to demonstrate what he can do.

One thing is already clear: Muzie is an impact player with qualities that can change a game.

His role was uncertain at the start of the season, particularly with Beitar competing in Europe. He featured in all four matches against AEK Larnaca and Austria Vienna before being left on the bench for the disappointing 4-1 defeat to Maccabi Netanya.

Muzie subsequently started at left-back in a difficult 3-0 loss, but he kept his place for the next three matches, all of which Beitar won. In the process, he appeared to seize the opportunity to establish himself on the left side of the defense.

Cohen believes Muzie has continued to improve in a position he already knows well.

“First of all, if I’m not mistaken, Muzie played at left-back at Kiryat Shmona, while at Hapoel Nof HaGalil he played right-back. So it’s a position he knows how to play. I think he has improved even more in that position now.

“The way we play, with attacking full-backs who have strong physical abilities, really suits him. I’m very happy with Timo. I think he understands that he needs to keep raising his level with every game, and I’m happy we have a player like that.”

Muzie was pleased to hear his coach’s assessment, recognizing that he still has room to grow as he adapts to his new role.

“It’s nice to hear that my coach feels that way. It’s good feedback to know you’re doing the right things, progressing and ultimately helping the team succeed. Playing left-back is still an adjustment, but I’m getting there little by little.

“The players around me, whether the center-backs or the wingers, help and guide me, which makes things much easier. Along with Almog and the coaching staff, it’s been good progress. Versatility, that’s the word, right? And I enjoy it. I’m really enjoying it.”

That versatility should continue to work in Muzie’s favor even after Yarden Cohen returns, particularly with the injured defender reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery. While some may consider Muzie underrated, the player is more concerned with contributing wherever he is needed than with how others perceive him.

“I come in to contribute wherever I’m needed, whether it’s here or there, wherever I can and whenever I can. You guys can say what you think and judge whether I’m underrated or not, but that’s not for me to decide. It doesn’t matter that much. I’ll just do my part.

“It’s always fun to start. But ultimately, what matters is finishing the game with an assist or a goal, helping the team come from behind to win or preserving a lead. The disappointment of not starting is replaced by the happiness of knowing you helped and contributed, because people trust you.”

Having Muzie available from the opening whistle also gives Cohen greater tactical flexibility. With players capable of filling multiple roles, the coach can adjust his formation during a match without necessarily having to turn to his bench.

“I think that right now, whether the system is 3-5-2, 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 doesn’t really matter. Ultimately, sometimes you attack in a 3-4-3 and sometimes you defend in a 3-5-2. Football today is very fluid. You change formations during the game, and sometimes you attack in one shape and defend in another.”

For both Cohen and Muzie, the immediate priority is to pick up where Beitar left off before the lengthy international break. A win over Ramat Gan would provide further momentum ahead of the team’s return to Teddy Stadium to host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The match against Maccabi will be Beitar’s first genuine home fixture of the season at Teddy, where the club will play on a new hybrid pitch. With more than 30,000 fans expected and a new light-rail line providing direct access to the train station and central bus station, the occasion promises to be a major one.

Cohen, however, insists his focus remains firmly on Sunday’s opponent.

“It was a fairly long break, and I think we’ll come into the match against Hapoel Ramat Gan very well prepared. To say the break stopped our momentum would be an excuse. Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn’t interest me at all right now. I’m only interested in Hapoel Ramat Gan. For me, that’s the most important game.

“Maccabi Tel Aviv isn’t even on our minds. We haven’t watched them, and nothing about them is in our heads right now. It’s all about Hapoel Ramat Gan, and they’re an excellent team.”

Muzie echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the progress made before the break.

“The winning streak was very important for us after a somewhat shaky start to the season. Now it’s about continuing on the path we’ve been on since our last game, whether in friendlies or training, maintaining the things we’ve done well and continuing to improve.

“Hapoel Ramat Gan are a very good team. We saw that when we played them in the Toto Cup. We’ll be as prepared as possible, and then we’ll turn our attention to the following week’s game against Maccabi. But right now, we’re preparing for a very difficult match against Hapoel Ramat Gan, and with God’s help, we’ll get those three points.”

Cohen knows his Beitar side has the talent and depth to compete for the championship, but he also understands that potential must translate into consistent results. For the coach, the expectations are straightforward: keep winning and build on the momentum already established.

“I think a strong team needs to win before the break, after the break and at all times. Our expectation is always to win, and there are no excuses as far as I’m concerned. We need to maintain the same momentum we had in terms of the fans, the results and the way we were playing.

“We do need to learn how to finish games more decisively, but I’m sure that, God willing, we’ll continue exactly where we left off.”