Maccabi Haifa Coach Barak Bakhar Focuses on Defense During Break

Maccabi Haifa's coaching staff, led by Barak Bakhar, will prioritize improving the team's defense during the current international break. The team has secured three consecutive wins and one loss, placing them second in the league standings, only behind league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv in goals scored. New summer signings like Bruninho, Pedro Brazão, and Andrija Novakovich have bolstered the offense, but the defense has been a concern, conceding seven goals in five matches and keeping only one clean sheet.

Bakhar and his team recognize the need for improvement, emphasizing that defensive focus extends beyond the backline to include the midfield and attack. This task is complicated by the absence of several key midfielders, including Ali Mohamed, Yarin Levi, Eitan Azulai, and Navot Ratner, who are with their national teams. Newcomers like Guess Gnonh and Tjaronn Chery, who joined this summer, are still adapting but are expected to provide defensive support.

Last season, Maccabi Haifa conceded 47 goals, the highest among the top teams, prompting a planned overhaul of the defense this season. While current statistics are similar to last year's early stages, the club is hopeful for significant improvement as the season progresses. The team will resume league play against Hapoel Jerusalem.