Maccabi Haifa Weighs Defensive Changes Amidst Poor Goals-Conceded Record
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Maccabi Haifa is concerned about its defense, which has conceded an average of 1.75 goals per game this season. The team is waiting for the return of left-back Pierre Cornud, expected in two months, after losing other defenders to sales and injuries. Coach Barak Bakhar and Sporting Director Lior Refaelov decided not to sign a new left-back. Tactical adjustments are being made as the team faces Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Haifa's defense is a concern, averaging 1.75 goals conceded per game.
- The team is waiting for left-back Pierre Cornud to return from injury in about two months.
- Coach Barak Bakhar and Sporting Director Lior Refaelov opted not to sign a new left-back.
- Defensive changes include Tsunami and Nigel Lonwijk, with competition for the left-back spot.
- Eli Dasa and Yalla Betaye have been experimented with in defensive roles.
Maccabi Haifa is struggling defensively this season, conceding an average of 1.75 goals per league game, placing them among the league's weakest defenses. This statistic is a significant concern for the club's management.
The team's defense has undergone substantial changes from the previous season. Abdoulaye Seck departed after four seasons, Lis Cissay was sold to Bristol City for 2.5 million euros, and injuries sidelined both left-backs, Pierre Cornud and Yinon Feinzig, for extended periods. This summer, Maccabi Haifa signed Nigel Lonwijk and Tsunami, who can play both as a center-back and a left-back. However, Tsunami's offensive contribution on the wing has been limited, and he has shared the position with Kenny Saif.
Sporting Director Lior Refaelov and Coach Barak Bakhar decided against signing a new foreign or Israeli left-back, opting instead to wait for Pierre Cornud's return. Cornud is gradually resuming training and is expected to be match-fit within approximately two months. The defense is considered the team's Achilles' heel.
A tactical experiment saw Eli Dasa playing right-back and Yalla Betaye shifting to left-back during the second half of a match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Tsunami is anticipated to start as a center-back alongside Lonwijk in the upcoming game against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Saif and Betaye are competing for the left-back position, a role that is not natural for either player.
"The decision to wait for Cornud could prove critical. Those who arrived this summer have not yet justified the credit. Perhaps with Dasa, the defense will look better. Cornud is progressing well, but we also need to see how he returns from such a long absence," sources from Carmel stated.
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