Maccabi Haifa's Potent Offense Masks Defensive Woes

Maccabi Haifa secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ironi Tiberias before the international break, accumulating 12 out of a possible 15 points. The team's performance is likened to a yacht with two engines, but currently relies heavily on its potent offense and crowd support, while the defensive engine remains largely dormant. This reliance on attack was evident in the win, where the offense, featuring new signings like Bruninho, Pedro Brazão, and Andrija Novakovich, proved decisive. Bruninho, Brazão, and Novakovich are highlighted as excellent acquisitions, with Novakovich noted for his scoring ability. However, the defense is a significant concern, with defender Nigel Lonwijk singled out for not meeting expectations and appearing to struggle with modern football tactics. His lack of dominance and poor situational awareness are cited as issues that the coaching staff must address.

The article also criticizes the refereeing in the match, particularly the performance of David Foxman and VAR official Shlomi Ben-Avraham. Specific calls, including a handball that led to Ironi Tiberias's goal and a perceived inconsistency in handball rulings, are questioned. The author argues that the overall standard of refereeing is low, with some officials lacking a fundamental understanding of the game. Furthermore, Ben-Avraham's involvement is deemed inappropriate due to past public displays of support for Maccabi Tel Aviv, creating a conflict of interest. The piece calls for Maccabi Haifa's CEO to demand Ben-Avraham's recusal from future Maccabi Haifa matches and suggests other clubs should also protest to prompt action from the Referees Association.