Maccabi Haifa Coach Admits Team 'Fell Apart' in Stunning 5-2 Loss

Maccabi Haifa suffered a surprising 5-2 defeat to the reigning champions on Monday evening at Sammy Ofer Stadium, despite entering the match on a five-game winning streak and leading the Israeli Premier League. The team conceded five goals in the second half, a stark contrast to a solid first half and a promising start to the second.

Head coach Barak Bakhar described the loss as a "slap in the face" and a "big test" that the team failed. He explained that the game unraveled within ten minutes due to "mistakes" and a red card that effectively ended the contest. "We fell apart, the game ended in ten minutes," Bakhar stated, acknowledging that while analysis is possible, the result was disappointing given the team's and fans' expectations.

Bakhar felt the team was performing better than the final score indicated until the collapse. He admitted they had prepared well and had an opportunity to prove they belonged at the top, but ultimately "we are not there yet." He conceded that they "helped Beersheba look great" by making numerous errors, though he also noted some positive aspects of the performance.

Notably, Maccabi Haifa conceded two goals from set pieces, the first time this season, which Bakhar found particularly frustrating given the team's strength in this area with players like Andrea Novacovic and "Tsunami." He expressed disappointment that their perceived strength became a point of weakness.

Looking ahead, Bakhar sees the next match against a strong home team as a good challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate their true capabilities. "We look forward, there's nothing to do," he concluded.