![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2302.jpeg\")
Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nHaifa then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hapoel Jerusalem in a Toto Cup placement match, bringing its preseason campaign to a close. First impressions matter and the Greens had done little to inspire confidence.<\/p>\n
Once the season got underway, Haifa scraped past newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan before suffering a heavy defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Since then, however, the Greens have turned things around, stringing together four consecutive victories. Their latest result was an impressive 4-2 win over Hapoel Jerusalem, and they will now look to make it five in a row when they visit newly promoted Maccabi Petach Tikva at the Moshava Stadium on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
The preseason doom and gloom has given way to renewed optimism. Haifa sits second in the table, just one point behind Maccabi Tel Aviv, and is firmly in the conversation for the championship. Hapoel Beer Sheva awaits in a couple of weeks in what promises to be Haifa\u2019s toughest test since facing the league leaders, but one thing is already clear: Bachar\u2019s team looks nothing like the side that struggled just a few months ago. The Greens have emerged as genuine title contenders.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2300.jpeg\")
Pedro Brazao – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nSo, what changed?<\/p>\n
What suddenly clicked? What began working that had been missing earlier in the campaign?<\/p>\n
The answer, at least in part, comes down to patience and time on the training ground. With numerous new arrivals, including several foreign players, Haifa needed time to develop chemistry, establish its identity and become a well-oiled machine.<\/p>\n
Gradually, the pieces have fallen into place and Bachar\u2019s puzzle is beginning to take shape.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2322.jpeg\")
Barak Bachar – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\n\u201cWinning is always enjoyable,\u201d Bachar said. \u201cWhen the performance is good, it\u2019s even better. We brought some of the pressure on ourselves with our poor results. We knew things could change if we worked quietly and ignored the pressure around us. We did that gradually, and now we\u2019re looking better. We\u2019re still not drawing conclusions, just as we didn\u2019t after the Toto Cup, because we\u2019ve played only six matches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bruninho, Brazao and Novakovich Lead the Way<\/h3>\n
Several players have been instrumental in Haifa\u2019s resurgence, but three attacking talents, in particular, have stood out above the rest.<\/p>\n
Bruninho\u2019s quality was evident from the outset. The Brazilian attacking midfielder immediately brought creativity, technical ability and an eye for goal, becoming involved in the majority of Haifa\u2019s goals, either by scoring himself or setting up his teammates. His tally of three goals and four assists is already impressive, especially considering he has played a part in several other scoring moves that do not show up on the stat sheet.<\/p>\n
Bruninho has shouldered much of the creative burden, but the arrival of Portuguese winger Pedro Brazao in September has given the Greens another dangerous attacking weapon.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2241.jpg\")
Bruninho – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nBrazao has recorded two goals and two assists in just three appearances, including a spectacular solo effort in Haifa\u2019s most recent victory over Hapoel Jerusalem that could contend for goal of the season.<\/p>\n
The winger weaved his way past defenders before rounding the goalkeeper, all while keeping the ball under control, then calmly finished with the outside of his foot. It was a moment of individual brilliance that highlighted exactly what he can bring to the side.<\/p>\n
Then there is Andrija Novakovich, the American international of Serbian descent, who has scored four goals and provided an assist over the last four matches, all of which he has started.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2283.jpeg\")
Andrija Novakovich – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nStanding 1.92 meters tall, the Wisconsin native gives Bachar\u2019s attack another dimension. Novakovich can dominate in the air, as he demonstrated against Hapoel Jerusalem, finish chances with his feet and bring teammates into play. His contribution extends well beyond simply putting the ball in the net.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old is on course to surpass several of his personal bests this season and has established himself as a genuine focal point in the final third. He offers Haifa the kind of target man it has lacked in recent seasons, while also contributing to the team’s overall attacking play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing we saw when we brought him in was that he\u2019s a team player who connects the play,\u201d Bachar explained. \u201cBeyond his goal, he set up the move for Bruninho, who assisted on Brazao\u2019s marker, and he was also involved in the third goal. Beyond the goals, he brings a great deal of presence and contributes to the team\u2019s collective play.\u201d
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2231.jpg\")
Andrija Novakovich – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nThere were plenty of doubters who looked at Novakovich\u2019s numbers from his most recent spell in Italy and questioned whether he could make a meaningful impact in Haifa. His performances so far have provided a convincing answer.<\/p>\n
He has become an important figure for the Greens, offering a combination of physical presence, finishing ability and link-up play that has added a new dimension to their attack.<\/p>\n
Together, Bruninho, Brazao and Novakovich have helped elevate Haifa\u2019s offense in a remarkably short period. Their complementary skill sets have given the Greens a more dynamic and unpredictable attack, making them increasingly difficult to contain.<\/p>\n
Defensive Questions Remain as Dasa Arrives<\/h3>\n
While Haifa\u2019s attack has made significant strides, the defense remains a work in progress.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2351.jpg\")
Nigel Lonwijk – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\nTsunami and Nigel Lonwijk still need time to settle into the team, with the former left out of the starting lineup against Hapoel Jerusalem. Jelle Bataille has also struggled to reach his best level, raising further questions about the back line.<\/p>\n
That helps explain why Haifa moved aggressively to sign Eli Dasa. In a last-minute move, the Greens secured the Israel national team captain\u2019s signature, beating out Hapoel Be\u2019er Sheva, which had come close to completing a deal for the right-back.<\/p>\n
Dasa brings much more than experience and quality on the pitch. He is also a leader who can help organize the dressing room and provide Bachar with a trusted lieutenant. With several new players still finding their feet, his presence could prove particularly valuable, both in stabilizing the defense and in setting standards throughout the squad.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC_08297_4761df4bd9-scaled.jpg\")
Photo credit: Maccabi Haifa<\/p><\/div>
\nDasa\u2019s leadership, professionalism and composure should provide a steadying influence as Haifa looks to sustain its recent momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has the complete package in terms of leadership and an exceptional personality,\u201d Bachar said. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen that with the national team and abroad. He\u2019s a professional at the highest level. From a physical standpoint, the national team saw that he was good enough even without being part of a club. For us, he\u2019s a terrific addition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haifa Back in the Championship Conversation<\/h3>\n
The bottom line is that anyone who wrote off Maccabi Haifa after its preseason struggles may have done so prematurely.<\/p>\n
The Greens are firmly in the championship race, regardless of whether Bachar is ready to publicly embrace those ambitions. Four consecutive wins have transformed the mood around the club, and the team is beginning to show the quality and cohesion expected of a title contender.
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2244.jpg\")
Barak Bachar – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div>
\n\u201cUltimately, the results speak for themselves. When the team plays good, high-quality football, it means the recruitment has been good. Against Jerusalem, we looked better in terms of intensity, and that lifted the entire team. It\u2019s a challenge on the one hand, but on the other, winning 4-1 at Teddy Stadium is no small achievement,\u201d Bachar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel we have a good team that is aiming high, and we\u2019re in the middle of a process,\u201d he continued. \u201cTalking about the championship is still a long way off. We have a journey ahead of us, and we\u2019re only at the beginning. As we strengthen the team and improve, we won\u2019t be afraid to talk about the highest ambitions. We\u2019re in second place, and we\u2019ll aim to move into first on Saturday, even if only temporarily. That\u2019s our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, Haifa\u2019s focus is on extending its winning streak and continuing to build on the progress made over the past several weeks. The early-season concerns have not disappeared entirely, particularly at the back, but the Greens have demonstrated that they have the attacking firepower, depth and growing confidence to challenge at the top of the table.<\/p>\n
After a preseason that left supporters questioning the direction of the club, Bachar\u2019s side is beginning to look like a team capable of competing for the biggest prize in Israeli football.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_2306.jpeg\")
Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Back in July, Maccabi Haifa hosted city rivals Hapoel Haifa in a Toto Cup derby that exposed the Greens\u2019 shortcomings in almost every facet of the game. Whether in attack, defense or transition, Barak Bachar\u2019s side appeared a step behind its opponents tactically and technically. The two teams looked worlds apart. Bachar took plenty of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":193567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[80],"class_list":["post-193545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football-israel-2","tag-maccabi-haifa","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n