Barak Bakhar

Maccabi Haifa's appointment of Curaçao midfielder Kenji Gorré as captain for the 2026/27 season sparked debate following his World Cup absence and slow start, but team leadership remains confident ahead of their match against Ironi Tiberias.

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.

The Maccabi Haifa coach addressed his team's performance after the loss to Hapoel Jerusalem in the Toto Cup, just before the Premier League opens: "We will need to pick ourselves up, I want to see improvement."

After the youngsters were a bright spot in a black season, Maccabi Haifa talked about a homegrown infrastructure. In practice, it quickly became clear that most of them are not expected to integrate into the lineup. "Bread and Butter", Walla's season opening project, about the decisions of Lior Refaelov and Barak Bakhar and with a message from the club: "You don't win a championship with 9 youth...

This was claimed by Moti Ivanir on the 103fm sports show: "He is in a very difficult period in his career." There is also sharp criticism of Maccabi Tel Aviv: "This is not how a big club is run."

The Greens' coach after the victory in Sakhnin: "There are enough players here to create a better team. Benson will add a lot to us." Novakovich and Glazer are expected to return in the next game. And what did Yossi Abukasis claim?

The victory over Ironi Tiberias slightly eased the pressure, but defensive softness continues to worry Barak Bakhar and his staff. There is optimism regarding Bruninho's performance.

Ori Uzan, Gili Vermouth, and Moshe Primo attacked the Greens' performance in the Toto Cup on 103FM: "The team looks untrained." The new signings also didn't get off lightly.

Barak Bakhar's side suffered their second Toto Cup defeat. Niv Gabay (7'), Amadou Sagna (23'), and Ariel Sheretzky (33') scored, while Omri Glazer and Tsunami were substituted due to injuries.

Maccabi Haifa fans booed the players at the end of the 3-0 loss to Kiryat Shmona - the team's second consecutive loss in the Toto Cup. The coach: "We will look different, unequivocally." Glazer on the injury: "At that moment I feared the worst."

After the coach claimed the defender was "fine and there is nothing serious," the club announced that a medical examination revealed a small groin tear.