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

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-1 in a league match, with the author heavily criticizing Haifa's squad construction and coaching. Despite both clubs being considered the largest and wealthiest in Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv demonstrated superior performance across all aspects of the game, dictating the pace and controlling the match.

Maccabi Haifa's starting lineup was described as "very mediocre," with only Bruninho showing potential. The article argues that the team's current players, apart from a few exceptions, are on par with those from mid-tier clubs, not the top teams. Coach Barak Bakhar and professional manager Lior Raphaëlov are blamed for the "disaster" of squad building, with the author questioning Bakhar's repeated promises of a better team.

The defense was particularly scrutinized, with all four starting defenders being foreign players, and only Rilay Jatta being deemed adequate. The new signings, Anderson Tsunami and Nigel Lonwijk, were called "very weak." The offensive lineup of Kenny Saief, Khen Ezrahi, and Silva Kani was also deemed insufficient for a club of Maccabi Haifa's stature.

The return of Yarin Levi from Beitar Jerusalem to Maccabi Haifa was also seen as detrimental, negatively impacting both the player and the team. Levi, who was benched at halftime after a poor performance, is considered to be performing below his previous level and his move is questioned.

In contrast, Maccabi Tel Aviv's midfield, bolstered by the return of Gabi Kanyukovsky and the strong play of Ali Mohamed and Dor Peretz, is hailed as the best in Israel. Peretz was highlighted for his two goals and an assist, while Ismaël Sysooko also had an excellent game. The article suggests that with further reinforcements, including a potential new attacker, Maccabi Tel Aviv is well-positioned to compete for the championship, despite facing a challenging upcoming schedule.