Maccabi Haifa's Repeated Collapse Blamed on Coach Barak Bakhar

Maccabi Haifa suffered a humiliating home defeat to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, a result that has intensified criticism of coach Barak Bakhar. The author argues that this is not an isolated incident but a recurring pattern of collapse against stronger opponents, suggesting that the team's struggles are independent of player changes.

The article highlights that the loss occurred against a weakened Hapoel Be'er Sheva squad, which had played a match just 72 hours prior. Despite this, Maccabi Haifa managed only one-and-a-half chances in the first half, with the second half being too painful to describe. The author laments the normalization of such defeats, calling it a "snowfall" and a "disgraceful defeat."

Criticism is directed at Bakhar's tactical decisions, or lack thereof, during the game. The author questions why no substitutions were made when the team was clearly losing structure and control, especially given the familiarity of the situation. Specific defensive errors, like poor marking on a corner and a chaotic defensive play leading to a goal, are mentioned, alongside a lack of offensive creativity.

The piece also touches on poor squad management and a lack of attacking prowess, with players like Eitan Azulai receiving a yellow card early and remaining on the field. The author dismisses the idea that foreign defenders are solely to blame, asserting that the central issue is the coach's inability to steer the team away from repeated failures.

Ultimately, the article expresses deep pessimism about Maccabi Haifa's prospects under Bakhar, stating that the team appears to lack direction and confidence. It suggests that a miracle would be required for Bakhar to salvage the season and regain the players' trust, and doubts his ability to turn the team's negative trajectory around.