Maccabi Haifa Needs Midfield Reinforcements After Heavy Loss

Maccabi Haifa faces crucial decisions following a significant home defeat to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, a loss that has highlighted weaknesses in the team's midfield and defense. The team conceded two goals from corners within four minutes, a lapse in concentration that coach Barak Bakhar must address.

The article suggests that the team's midfield needs strengthening, particularly in ball movement and control, especially against high-pressing opponents like Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The author proposes the addition of Yarin Levy alongside Ali Mohamed to bolster the center of the field, noting that Noam Steifman and Nijay Lonwick are less effective with the ball.

The left side of the defense is identified as a weak point, especially in the absence of Pierre Cornud and a suitable replacement. The pairing of Tsunami and Kangi Khura is described as one of the weakest on the left flank in recent years. In contrast, the right side is considered stronger, with a call for Eli Dasa to be given a starting role alongside Pedro Brazão.

Team cohesion and mental resilience are also flagged as areas needing improvement. The "breakdown" of the team in the second half of the match indicates a low breaking point that needs to be managed. While 18-year-old Noam Steifman is seen as a promising future defender, the article emphasizes that defensive errors, particularly from set pieces, are a team-wide issue requiring professional staff attention.

Looking ahead, the article advocates for a strong central midfield trio of Ali Mohamed, Yarin Levy, and Eitan Azulai, especially for the upcoming match against Hapoel Tel Aviv. A strong Maccabi Haifa is seen as essential for the team to quickly return to its winning ways.