Maccabi Haifa Includes Striker Guy Melamed in Squad for First Time This Season

Maccabi Haifa is preparing for their upcoming match against Hapoel Petah Tikva on Saturday, aiming to recover from their recent 3-1 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv and improve their performance. Coach Barak Bakhar held a team meeting to review mistakes from the previous game, specifically highlighting defensive lapses and instances where opponents exploited one-on-one situations.

Bakhar also criticized the team's lack of aggression, identifying Ali Mohamed, Andrija Novakovich, and Iyad Hallaili as players expected to bring more intensity. The coach is set to finalize the starting lineup during training today.

Notably, Guy Melamed, the team's top scorer last season, is expected to be included in the squad for the first time this season. Despite recent speculation linking him to a move to Maccabi Tel Aviv, sources within Maccabi Haifa insist he is part of their plans for the current season, though Novakovich is currently considered the primary striker. Melamed and Lior Silvas will compete for the second striker position.

In other team news, Maccabi Haifa is finalizing the transfer of Pedro Brazão, who is expected to arrive in Israel for medical tests and to strengthen Bakhar's squad.