Sokler to start on the bench, new role for Varela: Maccabi Tel Aviv's concerns

Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Aster Sokler will make his debut tonight (Thursday) for the team in the match against CSKA Sofia in the third qualifying round of the Europa League (19:00, Sport1), but Sokler is expected to start on the bench in his first game for his new team. Also expected to start tonight in the team's attack is Sayed Abu Farchi, who started in all of Maccabi Tel Aviv's games this summer.

The Cup holder will be missing Sagiv Jehezkel on the right wing tonight. The surprise is expected to be the placement of Elio Varela on that flank. Varela usually plays on the left side of the attack, but tonight he is expected to start specifically on the right wing, while Ido Shahar will start on the left side of the attack. Maccabi Tel Aviv will be missing Roy Revivo tonight, and Shahar Rosen will fill his place. Itay Ben Hamo is expected to start as a right back.

Coach Kenny Miller prepared the players for what awaits them tonight and spoke in several meetings about the defensive ability of CSKA Sofia and that they need to work patiently in order to break through their closed formation. At Maccabi Tel Aviv, they know they need to win tonight, in a match without an audience, because the return leg in Bulgaria will be much more difficult.