Maccabi Haifa Explains Early Substitution of New Signing Bruninho Ahead of Toto Cup Derby

Maccabi Haifa defeated Hapoel Kfar Saba 5-0 in their final warm-up match before the Toto Cup, where they will face Hapoel Haifa on Saturday. Kanji Hura captained the team, signaling potential leadership roles. Bruninho, the club's expensive summer signing, was substituted after just 15 minutes following his halftime entry as part of a special plan to gradually prepare him for the league start. He is adapting to Israel's climate and is expected to receive playing time in the upcoming derby. The club is pleased with his integration into the locker room.

Pedro, who felt a groin sensitivity, requested to be substituted. He will not remain with Maccabi Haifa, which plans to sign a foreign defender in his place. However, Pedro might be fit to play in the derby and could start the match. Andrea Novakovic, introduced recently, will begin training with the team, aiming to join alongside Tsunami. Yila Btayi has also returned to fitness.

Due to injuries and an incomplete squad, coach Barak Bakhar promoted several youth players to the senior team, including right-back Ayalon Baruch, defender Adar Geist, and left-back Daniel Litman. They join Adam Grimberg, who scored in the recent match, Noam Shteifman, and Liam Lusky as part of this season's squad. Additionally, youth goalkeeper Mark Golenkov started training with the senior team following Sherif Kiyof's injury and the expected departure of Giorgi Yermakov.