A hot summer’s day in Tel Aviv may not be the best weather for a football match, but for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans there was a real reason to be there.
Of course, a Europa Conference League match is always a reason to follow your club and, after beating Azerbaijan’s Zira in the last round, their opponents were of a far greater quality - Aris Thessaloniki.
A Djordje Jovanović goal in the 30th minute didn't change the atmosphere at Bloomfield, nor the continuous chances of the home team - everyone was waiting for one substitution. Waiting for Eran Zahavi’s return.
Eran Zahavi, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fans waited for him (Maccabi Tel Aviv FC)
Zahavi's last match at Bloomfield as a Maccabi player was in May 2015, and in the following seven years he built an impressive career abroad, playing in China and with PSV Eindhoven.
Last February, Zahavi came to play at Bloomfield, as a PSV player, against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although he was an opponent that night, Zahavi got an unusual amount of support from Maccabi's fans.
They couldn’t forget his time at the club, helping the team to three championships and a cup, as well as to the 2015-16 Champions League group stage. Things haven’t quite been the same ever since.
Two months ago, after a long wait, Maccabi officially announced that Zahavi was back, and fans were able to dream again.
🎵 מה יפות הן שתי עיניה, אש הלהבה 🎵 pic.twitter.com/5MdEX4CRiy
— Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (@MaccabiTLVFC) June 26, 2022
Half-way through the second half, that moment finally came. Zahavi was back. Every touch of the ball was followed by its own special sound, echoing through the stands. A sound of fans that knows that he needs only one right moment to do it.
Five minutes from time, after a few misses, Zahavi had done it, converting after a decent pass from Stipe Perica into the box. A six year wait was finally over. The 35-year-old striker had come home.
With a 2-0 lead, Maccabi will travel to Greece next week, hoping to complete their mission of securing a spot in the play-offs. Tonight they were given a reason to believe it's possible.
Edited by Alex Smith
All photos are by Maccabi Tel Aviv FC
Eran Zahavi’s comeback is official (Maccabi Tel Aviv FC)
