Barda and Tzur ahead of Bnei Sakhnin: "The push from the fans creates a huge sense of commitment from the players toward them"
Hapoel will play away this Saturday (21.2, 19:30) at Doha Stadium against Bnei Sakhnin in Matchday 24 of the Winner League. Head Coach Elyaniv Barda and Goalkeeper Assaf Tzur shared their feelings in a press conference ahead of the match.
"Sakhnin's situation? It's true that it makes preparing for the match more difficult, but we are focusing on ourselves," the coach began. "We know we are heading into an away match at a very tough stadium, against a coach I know and have worked with. The opponent is still dreaming of the upper playoffs, but we need to concentrate on our own goals and the things we want to achieve and I hope we continue our good run of form."
On the red fans arriving in masses to Doha: "It's incredible, it's an amazing atmosphere and a massive push for the players. The fans buy a ticket, travel a long distance, and come to watch and cheer for them which also creates a huge sense of commitment from the players toward them."
On the team's position in the table: "Our standing doesn't surprise me, I know what kind of team I have and what kind of locker room we have. We still have a way to go, more goals to conquer, and more things to achieve together. Ultimately, this team can still improve. I don't concern myself with anyone else besides my own team, which is the most important thing to me. We will try to finish this season as high as we can, so I'm not setting limits, but rather I want us to keep trying to improve from game to game. We want to reach the playoffs from the best possible starting point, and we have three more games to do that."
"I think we are a very good team undergoing a beautiful process, a team that I don't forget was promoted at the end of last season, is establishing itself in the Premier League and isn't setting any limits as I said before. It's a team trying to play the best football possible and trying to create continuity. My job is also to look at the less positive things, and not just the good ones. The less positive things? Our away record, which we started to improve in the second round, and we want to continue on that same path."
Assaf Tzur began by addressing the team's positive streak: "I think that in the recent matches, just like throughout the entire season, we've proven the depth of the squad and its strength. Ultimately, 11 players go out on the pitch, and whoever plays gives 100%. Defensive work isn't just about the goalkeeper and the backline, but the whole team putting in a massive effort and you can see the results of that."
"Hapoel Tel Aviv is a massive club," he added. "I know this because I grew up in Israel, but obviously everyone made sure to tell me before I signed. The goal is to return it to the very top, and that's what we are trying to do. The fans? There are no words to describe what they are doing this year, it's impossible to ignore. As a player, the backing and the energy you get from them only give you confidence and I hope we continue like this."
On the match against Sakhnin: "In terms of results, you can see it's not easy for any team to play at Doha. We come to win every game just like we've done up until now, and I hope that's exactly what we'll do".
