Maccabi Haifa Faces Defensive Challenges with Key Players Injured and Departing

Maccabi Haifa announced on July 15, 2026, that several players will not be part of the squad for the upcoming season, including the surprising exclusion of left-back Daniel Golani, who was loaned to Tiberias this past season. This decision could impact the team's defensive options significantly.

The club's two main left-backs, Pierre Cornu and Yinon Feingezicht, are both sidelined with serious injuries. Cornu is expected to return no earlier than January 2027 in an optimistic scenario, while Feingezicht suffered a complete ACL tear in the last game of the season and may miss most of the next season. This leaves Maccabi Haifa without a natural left-back in their roster.

In the final match of the previous season, Sean Goldberg started in the left-back position, a role he played early in his career and occasionally during the last season. Another option is Kenny Saif, a winger who has been deployed in multiple positions and started as a left-back under coach Barak Bachar's current tenure.

Maccabi Haifa's first match will be against Hapoel Haifa in the Toto Cup on July 25, followed by the league opener against Hapoel Ramat Gan on August 22. Both Cornu and Feingezicht were key players last season and are expected to resume important roles once fully recovered.