Maccabi Haifa Coach Bakhar Praises New Signing, Aims for Consistency

Maccabi Haifa secured their second consecutive victory, defeating Kiryat Shmona 4-0 in what coach Barak Bakhar described as the team's best performance of the season so far. Bakhar emphasized the importance of the win for building confidence and regaining fan trust, acknowledging that while the result was strong, there are still areas for improvement in ball movement and decision-making.

He specifically highlighted the positive impact of new signing Pedro Brazão, who made his debut. "It was easy for me to throw him into the water because he has played quite a bit this year. He added a lot, and others will also need to give more," Bakhar stated, noting that Brazão brought a missing quality to the team. The coach also mentioned that the team is looking to strengthen further before the transfer window closes, but if not, they are confident in their current squad.

Bakhar stressed the need for results, even at the expense of peak performance, to reignite the passion that characterized Maccabi Haifa in its successful past. He pointed to the clean sheet as a significant positive for the defense and goalkeeper, contributing to overall team security. The team is focused on heading into the upcoming international break with a solid record, aiming for another win in their next match at Sammy Ofer Stadium before the break allows for further team cohesion, especially with several new players integrating into the squad.