Hapoel Tel Aviv prepares for Toto Cup semi-final: Will Barda rotate?
Over 8,000 Hapoel Tel Aviv fans are expected in Petah Tikva for the Toto Cup semi-final against Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday at 20:00. Coach Elyaniv Barda aims to manage player fatigue while pushing for a spot in the final.
Hapoel Tel Aviv will arrive tomorrow, Sunday, at 20:00 for the away match in the Toto Cup semi-final against Ironi Kiryat Shmona. The team will be accompanied by over 8,000 fans expected to create a home-like atmosphere at the stadium in Petah Tikva, as the supporters are hungry to win a first title in many years.
Quite a few players are exhausted from the European journey, and it seems that Elyaniv Barda will make decisions regarding the starting 11 only tomorrow. On one hand, there is a desire to distribute the load ahead of the matches against Atalanta, but on the other hand, this is a semi-final and not just another game, hence the careful considerations.
Douglas Owusu will increase his training pace and will gradually receive minutes after barely participating in friendly matches for Red Star Belgrade this summer. Xande Silva may start, while Shahar Piven or Tal Archel could also be in the lineup.
At Hapoel Tel Aviv, they described Kiryat Shmona as an "excellent team that is in amazing form," but the club is determined to reach the final and the approach is accordingly. Only after the two matches against Atalanta will a decision be made on which of the team's youngsters will go out on loan.
