Maccabi Haifa Coach Barak Bachar Makes Lineup Changes Ahead of Match Against Kiryat Shmona

Maccabi Haifa will face Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday evening in an effort to secure their first official win of the 2026/27 season. Coach Barak Bachar emphasized the importance of player attitude, demanding aggression and determination from the start of the match. Several changes are expected in the starting lineup compared to the previous game against Hapoel Haifa.

Brazilian player Tsunami will make his starting debut after receiving his first minutes in the last match. Ali Mohamed will start in midfield, replacing Yarin Levi, who is sidelined due to a virus and will not be part of the squad. Serbian-American striker Andrea Novakovic will also wait for his debut from the bench. Kanji Hura will start in the forward line and wear the captain's armband, taking over from Omri Glazer, who captained the team in the previous game.

There is a tactical decision to be made between Adam Grimberg and Guy Melamed for the forward position, but both are expected to play, with Bruninho set to come on in the second half. Players Navot Ratner and Itay Ahud, who did not play in the last match, are likely to get playing time. Additionally, youth team defender Arad Geist will be included in the senior squad for the first time, marking a milestone for him. Geist was part of the youth team's UEFA Youth League campaign last season and recently signed a long-term contract.