Maccabi Haifa Suffers Stunning Defeat, Analysts Criticize Defense

Maccabi Haifa experienced a dramatic collapse, losing 5-2 to Hapoel Be'er Sheva after leading the league at the end of the seventh round. Former players and channel commentators Itay Shechter and Tal Ben Haim analyzed the match, attributing the loss to a complete defensive breakdown.

"It wasn't just the two central defenders who collapsed, it was the entire back four," they stated. They suggested that while Haifa might not have returned to their "natural place," winning six consecutive games is difficult even in favorable circumstances. The commentators emphasized that championships are won through defense, describing the game as a tactical battle where Hapoel Be'er Sheva's coach, Ran Kozuch, outmaneuvered Maccabi Haifa's coach, Barak Bakhar.

Concerns were raised about Maccabi Haifa's current defensive lineup, with foreign defender the foreign defender absent, Tsunami not at game pace, and Lonwijk not yet integrated. They singled out Steifman as bearing significant responsibility and stressed the team's urgent need to sign at least one strong central defender to contend for the championship.

The commentators also highlighted the difficulty of Maccabi Haifa's next match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, noting Hapoel's strong home record and stingy defense, having conceded only twice in eight league games. They described Hapoel as a tough opponent, making it hard to create chances and score.

Regarding Hapoel Be'er Sheva, they praised the performance of substitute Kangoa, noting his dominance, and commented on Diop's ecstatic celebration after receiving criticism, running directly to Kozuch, whom he felt supported him during difficult times. Zlatanovic's performance was described as "crazy," with his first-half goal ascent compared to Lewandowski's. Zlatanovic consistently rewards Kozuch's faith in him, while Kozuch is credited with constant innovation, including a new midfield trio. Vitor's play was likened to his performance a decade prior, earning high praise for the coach.