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 points out of a possible 15. The team's performance is likened to a yacht with two engines, but currently relies heavily on its offensive power and crowd support, while the defensive engine remains largely dormant. This reliance on offense was evident in the recent win, as well as in a previous match against Maccabi Tel Aviv where the defense faltered.

The offensive unit, featuring new signings like Bruninho, Pedro Brazão, and Andrija Novakovich, is described as championship-caliber. Bruninho and Brazão are highlighted as excellent acquisitions, with Novakovich noted for his power and scoring ability. Eitan Azulai is also praised for his contributions from deeper positions. However, the defense presents a significant concern, with defender Nigel Lonwijk singled out for not meeting expectations. His understanding of the game and positioning are questioned, suggesting a need for an "update" to modern football standards.

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 a Tiberias goal and a missed penalty call, are cited as examples of inconsistency. The author argues that some referees lack a fundamental understanding of the game's dynamics. Furthermore, Ben-Avraham's impartiality is questioned due to past public association with Maccabi Tel Aviv, leading to a call for his disqualification from future Maccabi Haifa matches.

Maccabi Haifa's management is urged to demand Ben-Avraham's recusal, and the author suggests other Israeli Premier League clubs should also scrutinize referee assignments to address perceived biases and a lack of awareness within the refereeing association.