Maccabi Netanya Plans Gradual Integration of Dolev Haziza After Loss to Hapoel Ramat Gan

Maccabi Netanya suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 3-2 to newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan in the Toto Cup. The loss followed two consecutive wins and left coach Ronny Levy visibly frustrated, particularly with the performance of key defensive players Giorgi Morozov and Bakary Konaté. Players expressed the need for a stronger central defender, emphasizing that without Bassem Za'arura, the team is not the same. Za'arura, who started the season strongly and was controversially sent off in a previous match against Maccabi Petah Tikva, is praised for his pressing game and leadership in midfield.

The match also marked the debut of midfielder Dolev Haziza, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute. Haziza, recently acquired from Maccabi Haifa, made an immediate impact by assisting a goal and nearly scoring himself. Netanya plans to gradually integrate him into the squad, with expectations that he will again come off the bench in their upcoming match against Hapoel Petah Tikva on Wednesday. Additionally, Itay Ben Shabbat and Willian Cipriano were excluded from the squad, signaling the coaching staff's decision to move forward without them.

The team acknowledges the need to strengthen their defense to compete effectively in the league, with players candidly stating that the absence of Za'arura significantly weakens their squad. The club is focused on adjusting their lineup and tactics as the season progresses to improve their chances in the Israeli Premier League.