Maccabi Haifa's Defensive Woes Highlight Need for Scrutiny Before Sale

Maccabi Haifa's recent 5-2 loss to Hapoel Be'er Sheva has drawn sharp criticism, with the team's defensive performance likened to that of the Israeli national team's collapses. Despite leading qualifying groups, the national team often falters, a pattern the author sees mirrored in Maccabi Haifa's "embarrassing defensive collapse." The article details specific defensive lapses during a corner kick, where nine Maccabi Haifa players were clustered around the goal, leaving two Hapoel Be'er Sheva players unmarked. This defensive disarray, coupled with a "sloppy penalty" and poor marking, led to two goals in six minutes, resulting in a red card for defender Noam Steifman.

Maccabi Haifa's offensive capabilities are acknowledged, but the team's defense is deemed insufficient against strong opponents. The team has conceded eight goals against top rivals and 14 in eight league matches, more than many lower-ranked teams. The author suggests that with such defensive play, Maccabi Haifa is unlikely to finish higher than fifth in the league, questioning the optimism following their recent first-place standing. The article also touches on the team's squad building, suggesting it's not strong enough compared to other top clubs, and urges caution before selling the team, warning against "selling a cat in a bag."

In contrast, Hapoel Be'er Sheva is described as performing well despite the ongoing war and competing on multiple fronts. While their squad might not be sufficient for deep runs in European competitions, it is considered capable of challenging top Israeli league teams. Their true strength will be tested in upcoming matches against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem. The team is currently exceeding expectations, even with injuries to key players like Lucas Ventura and Eliel Peretz, who will be out for at least a month. The depth of the squad will be crucial in maintaining quality in the midfield.

The article also notes a concerning trend of high goals conceded by both Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa, who together let in 11 goals in the last round, while all other 12 teams conceded 14. This is seen as potentially more than a coincidence, especially given the quality of their stadium and the financial stability of their owners. The piece briefly touches on the struggles of northern Israeli football clubs, with Tiberias and Kiryat Shmona at the bottom of the league, and Bnei Sakhnin being the only northern team performing above expectations. The article also mentions fan disturbances in Petah Tikva, comparing them to a previous incident involving Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and questions the lenient penalties sought by the association's prosecutor.

Finally, Maccabi Netanya is characterized as an "average team" despite a large and passionate fanbase. Their owner's ambitious statements are contrasted with their current league position, ten points behind the leaders. The team has struggled offensively and against lower-ranked teams. The author suggests that Netanya should focus on developing local talent and building a unique club identity rather than relying on players from other youth academies. The article concludes by posing the question of whether Hapoel Tel Aviv could contend for the championship this season, highlighting their perfect home record and strong fanbase, with a potential win against Maccabi Haifa next Monday being a significant indicator.