Ilan Bakhar

Yossi Benayoun

30.06.03. As things stand, it appears that both players will be staying on. Bakhar will have to finish his holidays early though to play in the Intertoto cup, which starts in the first week of July. Benayoun will be given a longer rest as he has played more games.

22.06.03. Benayoun came back into the side for the last match of the season against Osasuna and had a hand in Racing's first goal (they lost 2-3 though). Bakhar was non-playing substitute.

15.06.03. Bakhar kept his place for the game at Betis, which his side lost 4-2. Benayoun was rested.

08.06.03.Benayoun was called up by Israel for their Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovenia, and played the whole 90 minutes in their 0-0 draw.

01.06.03. Bakhar finally made his league debut, a surprise selection by Chuchi Cos / Dmitri Piterman for the game against Espanyol. Racing were virtually assured of staying up though, and that could have influenced his decision. The right back had an impressive game, as did Benayoun who had a hand in three of the Cantabrian side's five goals as they won 5-2 in the end.

25.05.03. Another loss, this time at Athletic Bilbao. Benayoun again played behind Javi Guerrero in his attacking midfield role.

18.05.03. Another 90 minutes for Benayoun against Atlético, although a disappointing 0-2 defeat. Almost scored from a free kick in the first half though.

11.05.03. Benayoun played the full game again in the 2-2 draw at Celta.

04.05.03. Once again Benayoun played all but the last ten minutes in the 2-1 win over Valencia, setting up the second goal for Bodipo. His good form has attracted attention from several big clubs, including Tottenham in the English Premier League. He has however said he will be staying for another season at Santander.

27.04.03. Benayoun is now firmly established in the side, and played the full ninety minutes again in the 2-2 draw with Racing.

20.04.03. Benayoun played the full match this time as his side beat Recreativo 2-1 to move away from the lower positions.

13.04.03. Yossi started the game at Mallorca, and left the field early in the second half with Racing winning 1-3. However Mallorca came back to draw 3-3.

06.04.03. Benayoun came on for the last fifteen minutes in place of Banin in the match between Israel and France, which was took place in Sicily, and played all but the last 15 minutes in Racing's weekend victory over Sevilla.

30.03.03. Yossi was one of two "exiles" together with ex Celta player Revivo to be called up for Israel's Euro 2004 double header against Cyprus and France.

23.03.03. Benayoun played the full 90 minutes in the Nou Camp against Barcelona, but did little as his side were beaten 6-1. Both he and Bakhar took part in a triangular friendly tournament midweek at Palamos.

16.03.03. Benayoun had a good game against Real Sociedad, scoring the opening goal early on and proving to be a handful for the Basque defence. However Real came back to win later on.

09.03.03. Benayoun came on for the second half against Real Madrid, but his side were overrun and lost 4-1.

02.03.03. Chuchi Cos gave Benayoun a start against Deportivo, but took him off at the break with his side behind. His replacement Bodipo scored within two minutes of coming on, but Racing still lost.

23.02.03. Benayoun started the game at Villarreal, but had to leave the field two minutes before the break, being replaced by Bodipo. Racing won 0-3.

16.02.03. Yossi scored his side's second goal and almost got a third as Racing defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0. Replaced by Sarabia twenty minutes from the end.

09.02.03. Benayoun played all but the last ten minutes in Racing's 2-0 victory over Alavés.

02.02.03. Benayoun got his first run out under Piterman, coming on for the last half hour for Javi Guerrero against Valladolid. Racing lost again though, and are now in the relegation zone. Bakhar looks like staying now the transfer window has closed, although the signing of Coromina makes things even more difficult for him and he was left out of the squad once again.

26.01.03. Neither player included in the squad for the game at Osasuna.

19.01.03. All change at Racing, with new president Dmitri Piterman turning the club upside down. He has already effectively taken over as manager, and included Bakhar in the squad for the game against Betis, although he didn't get a game. Benayoun was still injured.

12.01. Benayoun travelled to Espanyol, but failed a late fitness test on his injury and had to sit out the game. Bakhar was also called up as cover for injured players, but in the end did not get in the squad.

05.01.03. Benayoun was injured and missed the game. Bakhar may be leaving during the winter transfer window, with foreign teams apparently making offers to take him on loan to the end of the season.

22.12. After the successful appearance in the last game, Benayoun made it in to the starting line up. Had some good touches, but had to be replaced by Javi Guerrero just before half time.

15.12. Benayoun came on for the last half hour against Celta together with Bodipo and transformed the game, scoring twice in his best appearance to date. His first goal came after Bodipo won the ball off the keeper, shooting past defenders into the unguarded net, and his second came from a clever chip from the edge of the area.

08.12. Benayoun started the game at Valencia, but was substituted by Diego Alonso with his side already losing 2-0.

01.12. After last week's disappointment, Preciado brought Benayoun into his starting line up against Málaga, playing in attack with Munitis. Didn't have a bad game, but was replaced by Javi Guerrero a quarter of an hour from the end. Racing recorded their first victory in six matches.

24.11. No game for either of the Israelis this weekend. Racing lost at Recreativo.

17.11. A few more minutes this time for Benayoun against Mallorca, coming on at half time for Morán and playing on the right wing. The team lost though.

10.11. Benayoun made a late appearance as substitute in the game at Sevilla, which Racing lost 1-0.

03.11. Benayoun came on midway through the second half of the match against Barcelona, and showed some nice touches.

27.10. Neither got a game in the match at Real Sociedad.

20.10. Benayoun was on the bench again for the game against Real Madrid, coming on for the last quarter of an hour in place of Javi Guerrero with Racing already two goals in front. Did not have much time to do anything though.

06.10. Bakhar was left out of the squad again for the game at Racing. Benayoun replaced Munitis for the last two minutes as a time wasting tactic by the manager with his side two goals ahead.

29.09. Benayoun was substitute again, coming on for the last fifteen minutes to replace Nafti as Racing threw everything forward looking for the equaliser (which they got near the end). Bakhar was not in the 18 man squad.

22.09. Benayoun returned to the squad, but had to start on the bench as Munitis is now firmly established in his position. Replaced Regueiro on the left of midfield (alternating with Munitis), but did not really get in to the game this time.

15.09. Bakhar made his first official start for the side in the cup match at Real Unión, and was replaced by Pablo Lago a quarter of an hour from the end with the teams drawing. However soon afterwards their opponents scored and knocked Racing out of the cup. Benayoun did not play in that game, and neither he nor Bakhar were in the squad for Alavés as the match date coincided with Yom Kippur.

01.09. Benayoun was one of Racing's best players pre-season, finishing off as joint top scorer. He started the opening match of the season against Valladolid, having a good game even though Racing lost in the end thanks to a late goal. Bakhar played some pre-season games, but was not in the side for the first game. Both will miss the next game as it coincides with Yom Kippur.

Racing Santander's star signings this summer both come from Israel. Neither have played club football outside of their country, but both are full internationals. Of the two, Benayoun is the man expected to shine, a talented attacking midfield player who has already shown in the pre-season matches that he can score goals. Bakhar is the back room man, a reliable right back who fills a traditionally weak spot at Racing. The Santander side have not dabbled much in the transfer market since gaining promotion last summer, and a lot of their success will depend upon these two fitting in quickly.