M.Tel-Aviv VsMidtjylland

Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv will be seeking to recover from their disappointing loss in their opening fixture of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League when they face Danish champions FC Midtjylland this Thursday at Stadion Partizana. The Israeli side, who suffered a heart-wrenching 2-1 defeat to Sporting Braga on September 26, are determined to make amends in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, Midtjylland enter the game with a point on the board following their 1-1 draw with Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim on September 25. Both teams are eager to claim victory as they continue their journey in European competition.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Struggles in Europa League Opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Europa League campaign got off to a frustrating start with a late collapse against Braga. Despite taking an early lead in the 30th minute through a well-placed goal by Osher Davida, the Israeli champions were unable to hold on to their advantage. Braga struck back in the dying moments of the game, equalizing in the 88th minute before delivering a devastating blow with a 95th-minute winner. The 2-1 defeat left Maccabi Tel Aviv empty-handed and positioned 26th in the Europa League standings after the first matchweek, with no points to show for their efforts.

The defeat was compounded by the dismissals of Gabi Kanichowsky and Tyrese Asante, both of whom received red cards deep into second-half stoppage time. Their dismissals highlighted the disarray in Maccabi Tel Aviv's defensive efforts, especially considering that they conceded a staggering 31 shots, 25 of which were fired from inside their penalty area. The result left manager Zarko Lazetic and his players with a bitter taste, as they were so close to securing a positive result in their first European outing of the season.

Despite this setback, Maccabi Tel Aviv remain a formidable force, both in Europe and domestically. Under Lazetic’s leadership, the team has shown consistent success, winning nine of their last 11 games in all competitions. In the Israeli top flight, they sit comfortably at the summit of the league with 13 points from five matches. Their form at home has been particularly impressive, winning 11 of their last 14 games at Bloomfield Stadium. Additionally, their recent record in Europa League home fixtures provides reason for optimism, with four wins, one draw, and just two losses from their last seven matches on home soil.

Midtjylland's Quest for European Glory

On the other hand, Danish champions FC Midtjylland have had a more measured start to their European campaign. In their opening Europa League fixture, they secured a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim, a result that places them 19th in the competition standings with one point. Midtjylland had initially taken the lead through Dario Osorio’s 42nd-minute strike, but they were pegged back by a 90th-minute equalizer from Hoffenheim’s Max Moerstedt. Despite being unable to claim all three points, Midtjylland displayed solid attacking intent, creating three big chances while limiting Hoffenheim to just one. Defensively, there were areas of concern, but they managed to maintain a disciplined structure for much of the game.

In terms of their recent Europa League form, Midtjylland have experienced a mixed bag of results. They have only managed to win once in their last four games in the competition, a record that they will be eager to improve upon. Over their last 10 Europa League matches, they have registered two wins, five draws, and three losses, showing that while they are capable of competing at this level, consistency remains an issue.

Domestically, Midtjylland have been in fine form, leading the Danish Superliga with 24 points from 10 matches. They currently hold a four-point cushion over second-placed FC Copenhagen, making them strong favorites to retain their league title. Their latest league outing saw them claim an impressive 3-1 victory over Viborg on September 29, further cementing their position at the top of the table. With 11 wins, six draws, and just one loss from their 18 competitive matches this season, Midtjylland are enjoying a strong campaign under the guidance of manager Thomas Thomasberg.

The Wolves' recent away form has also been commendable. They are unbeaten in their last three away matches and have only suffered one defeat in their last 11 fixtures on the road. This strong away record will give them confidence as they prepare to travel to Israel for what promises to be a challenging encounter against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Key Players to Watch

For Maccabi Tel Aviv, much of their attacking threat will come from Osher Davida, who scored their lone goal against Braga. The 23-year-old Israeli winger has been in good form this season and will be looking to continue his scoring run in Europe. His pace and ability to cut inside from the flanks make him a constant danger to opposition defenses. In addition, forward Eran Zahavi, a seasoned campaigner with a wealth of European experience, will be crucial to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s chances of securing a win. Zahavi’s ability to find the back of the net in important matches has made him a fan favorite, and he will be expected to lead the line effectively against Midtjylland.

Midtjylland, on the other hand, will be relying on the attacking prowess of Dario Osorio, who has already made his mark in the Europa League with a goal against Hoffenheim. The young Chilean forward has been a revelation for the Danish side, with his clinical finishing and movement in the final third proving to be a major asset. In addition, midfielder Aral Simsir will play a key role in dictating the tempo of the game. His ability to control the midfield and provide creative passes for the forwards will be essential if Midtjylland are to break down Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defense.

Tactical Analysis

Zarko Lazetic is likely to adopt a more cautious approach in this fixture, knowing that his side cannot afford another defensive collapse like the one they suffered against Braga. With Gabi Kanichowsky and Tyrese Asante both suspended, Lazetic will need to reshuffle his defense and midfield. The likely replacement for Kanichowsky will be Dor Peretz, a versatile midfielder who is capable of providing both defensive cover and attacking support. Meanwhile, Enric Saborit could be called upon to lead the defense, with his experience and leadership being crucial in organizing the backline.

Offensively, Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to exploit Midtjylland’s defensive vulnerabilities by pressing high up the pitch and forcing mistakes. With players like Davida and Zahavi capable of capitalizing on turnovers, the home side will aim to create chances through quick transitions and direct attacking play. Set-pieces could also play a significant role, with Maccabi Tel Aviv known for their ability to score from corners and free-kicks.

Midtjylland, under Thomas Thomasberg, have favored a more possession-based style of play, relying on quick passing and fluid movement to break down opposition defenses. In this match, they will look to control the midfield and dictate the pace of the game. Thomasberg is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, with Osorio leading the attack and Simsir pulling the strings from midfield. Defensively, Midtjylland will need to remain compact and disciplined, especially when dealing with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s counter-attacking threats.

Match Prediction

Both teams come into this match with something to prove. Maccabi Tel Aviv will be desperate to avoid another defeat in front of their home fans, while Midtjylland will be looking to build on their solid start to the Europa League campaign. The Israeli side will need to tighten up defensively and avoid the lapses in concentration that cost them against Braga, while the Danish champions will aim to maintain their unbeaten run in Europe.

Given Maccabi Tel Aviv’s strong home form and Midtjylland’s resilience on the road, this match could be a closely contested affair. A draw seems like a plausible outcome, though Maccabi Tel Aviv’s desire to bounce back might just give them the edge. Expect a high-intensity game with both teams creating plenty of chances, but Maccabi Tel Aviv could narrowly secure a 2-1 victory if they can tighten up defensively and take advantage of their attacking opportunities.

Conclusion

As Maccabi Tel Aviv and FC Midtjylland prepare to face off in this crucial Europa League clash, both teams will be eager to claim their first victory of the group stage. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, it’s about bouncing back from their disappointing loss to Braga and showing that they can compete at this level. Meanwhile, Midtjylland will be looking to build on their draw with Hoffenheim and continue their strong domestic form in Europe.

With key players like Davida, Zahavi, Osorio, and Simsir set to take center stage, this promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with plenty of attacking talent. The outcome could hinge on which side is more clinical in front of goal and which defense holds firm under pressure. Regardless of the result, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two of Europe’s emerging footballing forces.