Maccabi Haifa Struggles to Recover Under Barak Bachar Amid Tactical Failures

Maccabi Haifa continues to face severe challenges under coach Barak Bachar, as the team showed no signs of improvement in their recent Toto Cup match against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona on July 28, 2026. Despite being a preseason game, the performance was described as a complete failure, with the team suffering a 3-0 defeat and displaying a lack of tactical discipline and cohesion. The match exposed significant weaknesses, including ineffective pressing, poor defensive transitions, and a general inability to control the game even when trailing.

Key players like Bronninio showed some effort but failed to inspire the team, while others such as Ali Mohammed and Navot Retner underperformed significantly. Retner’s confidence appeared diminished, especially after the arrival of Yarin Levi in his position. Omri Glazer’s error leading to the first two goals was highlighted as a critical mistake. New signing Nigel Lonwijk had a difficult debut, struggling under pressure and lacking proper preparation, which raised concerns about his readiness.

The article questions the tactical approach of Bachar, noting that two different lineups failed to implement his instructions effectively, suggesting the problem may lie with the tactical concept or its delivery. The team has now gone three consecutive years without showing signs of proper training or strategic development. The author argues that despite it being preseason, the lack of any recognizable system or pattern is alarming.

The club faces mounting pressure to make drastic changes, including acquiring a dominant player who can create depth and scoring opportunities, and revising their formation and tactics. The current coaching and management staff appear unable to alleviate the suffocating pressure surrounding the team. The article ends with a call for hope that the team will improve and a critique of the decision not to utilize player Dolev Haziza, who could have contributed positively.

Summary: Maccabi Haifa suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Hapoel Kiryat Shmona in a Toto Cup preseason match, exposing deep tactical and performance issues under coach Barak Bachar. The team’s lack of discipline, poor individual performances, and ineffective strategy raise serious concerns about their readiness for the upcoming season. Urgent changes are needed to avoid further decline.