A goal from Madmon in the tenth minute of stoppage time in the second half allowed Maccabi Tel Aviv to avoid defeat against Cypriot side Pafos seven days ago, a defeat that would have been frankly undeserved. Overall, the Israelis were the better side, more enterprising and eager than the reigning champions of the Cypriot top flight, who were making their debut in a Champions League preliminary round.
The balance held until the 81st minute, when Pafos took the lead thanks to Bassouamina. However, Juan Carlos Carcedo’s men were caught at the most crucial moment, when victory seemed already in the bag. The 1-1 result now means they must win in Backa Topola, Serbia, which will be Maccabi Tel Aviv’s “home” for one night, as they are unable to play at home for the well-known reasons of public order.
The match against Pafos was not the official debut for Zarko Lazetic’s team: on July 13, the Israeli club played the Super Cup match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, seeing their first goal of the season slip away (a 2-1 defeat).
Paphos, on the other hand, made its debut directly in the cup: in Cyprus, as in Israel, the league will not restart until late August.h
Odds comparison
A draw is priced at 3.30 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 3.35 on Snai.
A goal is priced at 1.80 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.77 on Snai.
Prediction
Maccabi Tel Aviv deserved more than a draw in the first leg and should at least manage to avoid defeat in what promises to be another evenly matched and hard-fought game. Extra time is a serious possibility.
Probable line-ups for Maccabi Tel Aviv-Pafos
MACCABI TEL AVIV (4-2-3-1): Michael; Bruno, Luckassen, Goldar, Bruno Langa; Pepe, Sunjic; Correia, Dragomir, Orsic; Anderson Silva.
PAFOS (4-2-3-1): Gerafi; Asante, Shlomo, Stojic, Revivo; Sissokho, Shahar; Davida, Peretz, Patati; Turgeman.