Basel forward Mohamed Salah admits he had been reluctant to travel to Israel but was eventually forced to make the trip for the Champions League tie at Maccabi Tel Aviv this week. After announcing that he has decided to travel to the Israeli champions, Salah revealed that he had no other option but to join his team, having initially requesting pulling out of the Tel Aviv visit. "I've made it clear from the very beginning; I'm not ready to travel to Israel," the 22-year-old Salah told FilGoal.com. "However, the result of the first leg didn't come out as I wished; it didn't ensure our qualification. "I informed the management of my wish not to play in Tel Aviv but I had to comply with their desire to have me available for the game. "In the end, I'm a professional player; I have to respect my deal with the club." Salah - alongside Egypt teammate Mohamed Elneny - had been the focus of intense media speculation after Basel were drawn against Maccabi. The Swiss champs overcame their Israeli opponents 1-0 in the first leg, with Salah heavily involved in the narrow win as the return leg takes place on Tuesday.