Maccabi Haifa Praises Bruninho’s Impact Amid Defensive Concerns After Toto Cup Win

Maccabi Haifa secured their first victory of the 2026/27 season with a 4-2 win over Ironi Tiberias in the Toto Cup. The club expressed satisfaction with their attacking performance and especially praised Brazilian midfielder Bruninho, who scored a notable goal and assisted Eitan Azoulay from a free kick. Bruninho’s quick integration and leadership qualities were highlighted, with club officials stating, "You cannot compare Bruninho to Matias Nahuel. He has the character of a leader, initiates plays, and creates goals out of nothing. He is the player we needed since Shiri and Saba left."

Yarin Levi also received commendations for his role in setting up Haifa’s second goal, with the coaching staff pleased with his growing confidence. However, captain Kanji Hora disappointed by not meeting performance expectations, as the club feels he is still regaining full match fitness. Despite the offensive success, Maccabi Haifa remains concerned about their defensive line, particularly the central defense. Although Nigel Lonwijk showed improvement, the team conceded two goals and struggled to contain Kais Ganem, who scored twice for Tiberias.

The club hopes the return of defender Tsunami will help stabilize the defense, with the player expected to return in the next match. Additionally, Omri Glazer, Ali Mohamed, Manuel Benson, and Andrea Novakovic are nearing their comebacks, with Novakovic yet to make his debut for the club.