Hapoel Be'er Sheva: Unlikely to sign new players before Sabah clash
The club doubts it can add new foreign players before the Champions League playoffs begin. The squad that defeated Red Star Belgrade is expected to remain unchanged for the match against Sabah. Matan Baltaxa returns from suspension, but Pedro Amador is likely to keep his starting spot.
At Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the assessment this Friday morning is that it will be difficult, and likely impossible, to add new players before the first leg of the Champions League playoffs against Sabah this Wednesday in Bucharest. The club finds it hard to believe that they can find the necessary reinforcements—specifically a midfielder to replace Kings Kangwa or a center-back—within such a short timeframe.
Since registration for the playoff matches must be finalized by Tuesday, the club estimates that adding anyone before the deadline is unrealistic. Consequently, the current squad that advanced past Red Star Belgrade is expected to be the final roster for the matches against the Azerbaijani champions.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva currently has two spots open for foreign players. The team has six registered foreign players: Igor Zlatanovic, Javon East, Lucas Ventura, Joao Victor, Djibril Diop, and Pedro Amador. The latter is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup, even though Matan Baltaxa will return from suspension and be available for the match against Sabah.
The match in Bucharest is generating significant interest among the fans, and it appears that far more than 250 supporters will accompany the team this time. As a reminder, Hapoel Be'er Sheva swapped home venues ahead of the playoffs; instead of playing in Szombathely, Hungary, the match will take place in Romania at the Rapid Bucharest stadium.
