Maccabi Haifa saw a great game by Frendzy Piero today (Wednesday) against the Red Star with a brace from the fearsome striker. Piero scored in the 18th and 51st minutes and was one of the best on the field, but was substituted in the 70th minute. Piero was substituted because he complained of hamstring pain and will be tested. His condition is not yet clear for the return match against the Hakob in Belgrade or for the league game against Bnei Sakhnin this coming Saturday. A muscle strain is suspected.
At the end, the striker, who had already scored five goals in the qualifying stages, said: “It was a good game. The first half was close, we scored first and it gave us momentum for the rest of the game. After that we conceded two more and changed our approach in the second half, we had to do more and that’s what we did.”
“I’m happy, we won the first game, but that’s only half the job, it’s not over. We have another tough game in the rematch, this game wasn’t easy either. We’re all happy but know there’s more to come, it was a team effort and we know we have to win.”
On his physical condition: “I feel good. I’ve already had a few games with the team, the effort shows improvement. This is a new country, it took me a while to get used to the style of play and life here in the team. Everyone is here, it takes time before we connect and adjust ourselves to each other. At first It’s hard for everyone.”
“The chances for a rematch? It’s not over for us and for them. We need to win and keep the game plan, we’ll see what happens in the next round. If we give everything I think it’s possible. I’m not in the team, it’s a team effort. I’m doing everything I can to raise the team To the Champions. I couldn’t have done it without the other players.”