Maccabi Haifa's Squad Building Criticized After Loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-1 in a match where Tel Aviv dominated, dictating the pace and controlling the game. The author criticizes Maccabi Haifa's squad construction, calling it a "disaster" and questioning the decisions of coach Barak Bakhar and professional director Lior Raphaëlov. Despite Maccabi Haifa's large budget, the team's performance is deemed subpar, with many players not significantly better than those in mid-table teams.

The article specifically points to Haifa's defense, composed entirely of foreign players, as weak, with new signings Anderson Tsunami and Nigel Lonwijk being particularly disappointing. The offensive lineup, featuring Kenny Saief, Kanga Gura, and Silva Kani, is also criticized as not being up to par for a club of Maccabi Haifa's stature.

The return of Yarin Levi to Maccabi Haifa is also seen as detrimental, negatively impacting the player's performance and his standing within the club. The author suggests Levi would have been better off staying at his previous club, Beitar Jerusalem, and that talented player Nabet Ratner is being overlooked.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's midfield, bolstered by the return of Gabi Kanyikovsky and the strong play of Ali Mohamed and Dor Peretz, is described as the best in Israel. Peretz was highlighted for his two goals and an assist, while Isy Sissoko also had a notable performance. The team is expected to further strengthen with the potential addition of Tavernier and a new striker.

Despite facing a tough upcoming schedule, Maccabi Tel Aviv is considered a strong contender for the championship, unlike Maccabi Haifa, which is seen as struggling with its current squad. The article also touches upon Maccabi Tel Aviv's financial situation, noting the impact of their elimination from European competitions and the sale of Seid Abrahimi, while questioning the recent low profile of owner Mitch Goldhar.