Maccabi Tel Aviv Suffers Humiliating Loss Amidst Coaching Woes

Maccabi Tel Aviv experienced a significant defeat against Crvena Zvezda, with the game effectively decided within the first five minutes, leaving the score at 5-22 in favor of the Serbian team. This followed a previous collapse against Real Madrid and a league loss to a team other than Hapoel Tel Aviv or Hapoel Jerusalem. The team's performance was characterized by a lack of urgency and defensive lapses, allowing opponents to score freely, including 16 three-pointers in the recent game, matching their average in previous losses. Coach Oded Kattash expressed disappointment, stating the team "came with less sense of urgency" than expected after their previous loss. He appeared stunned by the team's performance, especially after having to miss elections in Israel. The article questions Kattash's coaching decisions, suggesting lineup changes like starting Clark or keeping Roman Sorkin in the lineup for more toughness and offensive presence. The team has now conceded 100 points or more in three out of eight games. The article also touches upon the team's roster construction, questioning the decision to have six guards or six forwards, some of whom, like Jake Cohen, are struggling to make an impact. The loss to Crvena Zvezda follows three consecutive defeats since their win against Valencia. Maccabi's next opponent, Paris, is coming off a win in Dubai and could pose another challenge, especially with the return of Nadir Hifi. Italian journalist Matteo Andreani reported that Kattash's position is weakening, with Maccabi reportedly exploring other coaching options, including former coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos. However, the article suggests that Maccabi's current management situation, dealing with arbitration, makes it difficult to dismiss Kattash, who is under contract for three years. Kattash's upcoming three derby games against Hapoel are seen as a crucial test, with the club's management potentially unable to tolerate further losses in these key matchups.