Miller ahead of Lugano: "The deficit is not critical, we understand what is at stake"

Maccabi Tel Aviv will take the field tomorrow, Thursday, at 19:00 for the decisive second leg against Lugano, forced to chase the game following a 2:1 loss in the first match in Switzerland. At the same time, the 'yellows' arrive with positive momentum and peak confidence after venting their frustrations in the league opener with a crushing 5:2 win over Hapoel Jerusalem earlier this week.

"We are arriving at tomorrow's game in a very good state, especially after the wonderful performance and the excellent result we achieved on Sunday," coach Miller began his remarks at the press conference. "We learned a great deal from the first game. A 2:1 deficit away is not a bad result for us, even though we were disappointed with the final result and the goals we conceded. We feel ready, we have prepared ourselves well, and we are very much looking forward to the encounter."

Regarding the physical load and the short time available to the staff, he said:

"The schedule in recent weeks is indeed very tight with quick transitions between the Toto Cup, the league, and Europe. At the same time, we had enough time to ensure we are completely ready. We met Lugano just a week ago, so we know the opponent standing before us well and know exactly what we need to do better on the pitch."

Regarding the squad's status, the coach clarified: "We still have a number of injured players who will be absent, but the situation is no different from what we dealt with last week. We arrive healthy, after a very strong performance earlier this week, and ready to do everything to win."

One of the topics raised at the press conference was the expected return of the fans to the stands in Georgia. "It is true that this is not Bloomfield Stadium, and that is something we had to accept and get used to throughout our European journey this season," Miller addressed. "But it will be great to have our fans back. Even in the match against Sheriff, the fans who arrived made the pitch feel much more like home and created an atmosphere of real football thanks to the noise and support. We never take this support for granted — the effort they make and the travels they undergo to cheer for the team are extraordinary. Their support will be critical for us tomorrow."

In conclusion, the coach emphasized the magnitude of the occasion and the importance of the victory for the club: "We have a great opportunity here to secure qualification for the league stage of a European competition. Every player in the squad understands exactly what is at stake tomorrow, and we will be ready for the challenge."