Great concern at Maccabi Haifa: "The performance is far from expectations"
After three losses in five Toto Cup matches, pressure is mounting at the Carmel club ahead of the league opener. Coach Barak Bakhar admits there is much work to be done, while Manuel Benson's injury adds further concern.
Maccabi Haifa concluded the Toto Cup on Monday with a particularly dismal record: in five matches in the tournament, the Greens recorded three losses—to Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Hapoel Haifa, and yesterday, to Hapoel Jerusalem (1:0). Judging by the performance, Maccabi Haifa is far from displaying the football expected of it after a summer in which the club overhauled its squad. Fans are starting to lose patience before the league season even begins, with the team facing a match against Hapoel Ramat Gan in the opening round (Saturday, 20:30).
"Yes, the performance is far from everyone's expectations," says a source in the team. "It is clear, and yet, we must understand that this is a new team dealing with significant pressure, and patience is required."
Greens' coach Barak Bakhar said after the match:
"We were less sharp, even when we got close to the goal. In the second half, we were not effective enough and barely created any situations. We still need to work. There are many new players who need to be integrated. We are working a lot on defense and adding more training sessions. On Saturday is the first league game; the atmosphere will be different, and we will need to pick ourselves up. I want to see improvement and progress, even if we don't put on a show. We will have to improve during the games."
Bakhar added: "I feel that I need to work harder, both me and the players. It is clear that we expected to look better and win more. With all due respect to the Toto Cup, we will be judged by the results in the league. Lior Refaelov and I know that there is still a lot of work to do. New players need time."
Manuel Benson's injury is very worrying, and he will undergo a series of tests this morning. If it turns out to be an injury leading to a prolonged absence, the Greens will bring in another foreign player. On another note, Peter Agba, who is not in the plans, is expected to leave soon for an overseas club. This will open a spot for Andrija Novakovich, the team's American striker, who will then be registered to play in Saturday's match against Hapoel Ramat Gan.
