Maccabi Haifa's New Star Mirrors Success of Departed Brazilian

Maccabi Haifa fans are celebrating the early success of their new Brazilian import, who has quickly become a fan favorite. The player, who arrived from Ukrainian club Karpaty Lviv, scored and assisted in a 2-1 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva on Saturday, bringing his season total to three goals, one assist, and a drawn penalty. This performance echoes the impact of his predecessor, Bruninho, who also left a significant mark on the Haifa club.

Karpaty Lviv, Bruninho's former team, is also experiencing a strong season in Ukraine, despite a recent loss to Shakhtar Donetsk, their first of the season, after three consecutive wins. The team's success is largely attributed to the performance of Brazilian midfielder Felipe Vieira, who was signed to replace Bruninho and plays in the same position. Vieira has already scored three goals and provided two assists since his transfer from Latvian club Liepāja.

Local Ukrainian media outlets have praised Karpaty Lviv's management for their astute player acquisitions and team building. One report noted the team's ability to establish itself as a strong attacking force under a foreign coach. Another highlighted the club's remarkable summer transfer window, where they reportedly invested only €2.99 million in new players while selling others for €11.38 million, including Bruninho for €1.7 million to Maccabi Haifa.