Levy, Maccabi Haifa face crucial clash against Acre

Levy is set to make several changes to his starting lineup once more, with Eliran Atar and Glynor Plet expected to team up in attack.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Haifa coach Roni Levy is under pressure entering Saturday’s match against Hapoel Acre, with the Greens sitting in last place in the Premier League standings after seven games. (photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Maccabi Haifa coach Roni Levy is under pressure entering Saturday’s match against Hapoel Acre, with the Greens sitting in last place in the Premier League standings after seven games.
(photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Roni Levy’s days as the coach of Maccabi Haifa could be numbered should the Greens fail to defeat Hapoel Acre at Haifa Stadium on Saturday.
Haifa is off to its worst ever start to a Premier League campaign, sitting rock bottom of the standings with a mere five points after winning just one of its seven matches to date.
Haifa dropped to a 2-0 defeat at Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Sunday, failing to find the back of the net for the sixth time in seven games.
Levy enters Saturday under intense pressure, although club owner Jacob Shachar told him earlier this week that he has no intention of sacking him. Nevertheless, should Haifa come up short yet again, Levy may well consider handing in his resignation.
“Don’t forget that we are in last place and that each and every one of you has got plenty to prove,” Levy told his players. “I believe in you and if we play together as a team we will be able to register good results.”
Levy is set to make several changes to his starting lineup once more, with Eliran Atar and Glynor Plet expected to team up in attack.
“Our recent games were certainly disappointing as we expect a lot more from Maccabi Haifa,” said Levy on Thursday. “I’m aware of the team’s problems and I know how to solve them. However, this is a long process. I was brought to Maccabi Haifa because Shachar knew the team had problems. These aren’t issues just from the past two months.
“Things need to change and I was brought here to change them.”
Acre has lost three of its last four matches, scoring only a single goal over that stretch, but nevertheless has four more points than Haifa.
Also Saturday, Bnei Sakhnin hosts Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Petah Tikva visits Hapoel Ra’anana, Hapoel Kfar Saba welcomes Hapoel Haifa and Bnei Yehuda faces Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
Hapoel Beersheba hosts Hapoel Tel Aviv on Sunday, with Beitar Jerusalem visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv on Monday.