Comment: Levy's Greens have to believe it's not over till it's over

Tuesday's match could well unfold in a completely unpredictable manner.

By ALLON SINAI
elisha levy 88 (photo credit: )
elisha levy 88
(photo credit: )
Over the past year Maccabi Haifa has gotten used to knowing that it controls its own fate. In local league play, as well as the Champions League qualifiers this season, Haifa has solely depended on its performance, understanding that if it plays to potential it is more than likely to claim a victory. In each of its first three Israeli Premier League matches, Haifa came back from a goal down to claim a victory. Even a 3-0 first-half deficit against Kazakhstan's Aktobe didn't deny it a place in the group stage of European soccer's top club competition, with the team scoring four unanswered goals to advance. However, over its six Champions League group stage matches, starting against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Haifa will have to adapt to the fact that it will be at the mercy of its opponents. The final outcome of Tuesday's match completely depends on Bayern. The Germans' star-studded lineup is far superior to any side Haifa coach Elisha Levy can put on the field, and if Munich plays anywhere near to its best it will win. Nevertheless, Maccabi should not be discouraged by this and prepare to the best of its abilities to take advantage of Bayern's weaknesses. Munich has experienced an erratic start to the season and could prove vulnerable if it fails to score an early goal in front of a jam-packed Ramat Gan Stadium. Bayern is the undoubted favorite and controls its destiny, but Haifa has not come this far to lie down without a fight. Time and again, Levy has instilled belief into his men when many others doubted them. If he can get his players to believe they are capable of beating Bayern, Tuesday's match could well unfold in a completely unpredictable manner.