‘Major mess’ – Mo Salah debut disaster leaves Trabzonspor in trouble

Updated: 21 Aug 2026 12:27 BST | 3 min read

Mohamed Salah, Trabzonspor, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Mohamed Salah’s home debut for Trabzonspor ended in a shock 1-0 loss to Fenerbahce in the Europa League, leaving the Turkish side facing something of a crisis before the return leg in Hungary next week.

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Trabzonspor have invested heavily in securing the services of Salah for the next two season after he departed Liverpool as a free agent at the end of last season. The plan, though, was constructed around the assumption that they would progress to the Europa League group stage – something that now hangs in the balance.

An early goal from Kristoffer Zachariassen deflated a buoyant home atmosphere and set up an evening of frustration for the hosts, who failed to make a breakthrough despite dominating possession and offering 24 shots.

Current ETV

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

Trabzonspor

ETV Range

€28.4M - €34.8M

Salah outshines Trabzonspor team-mates

Salah did everything in his power to make a difference for his new side, amassing enormous offensive numbers against an opponent below the level of which he is accustomed to facing.

He had six shots, four key passes and an enormous 17 touches in the opposition box, all of which were game-leading statistics. He also had 76 touches, which underlined how often his team were seeking to use him on what was his first start.

Beyond his impressive output, his state of mind was praised in the local media, with Fanatik commenting: “The Hungarian team effectively marked the Egyptian star, practically suffocating him. Nevertheless, Salah tried to break through this marking with great fighting spirit, but it wasn't enough.

“He showed all his dedication on the field – maybe he didn’t even exert this much effort while playing for Liverpool.”

Trabzonspor face ‘major mess’

Trabzonspor’s overall display was met with more criticism, however. The tie, it is claimed, has “turned into a major mess” for the Super Lig side.

The home side leaned on the individual qualities of Salah too much and lacked cohesive teamwork and dynamism to break down their opponents, it is claimed. Meanwhile, the midfield was criticised for being too ‘soft’.

Fingers were also pointed towards head coach Fatih Tekke for his ineffective use of substitutions.

“Our job has become a little more difficult. It’s not impossible,” Tekke told the media after the match.

“Looking at the game itself, maybe the score should have been completely different. We played at a high tempo. In the second half, they only approached our goal once. But that's how matches are.”

Despite defeat, Trabzonspor will start the second leg as favourites to progress, although first they will have a domestic match to negotiate against Basaksehir on Sunday.

It’s early days in Salah’s time in Turkey, but already the pressure is building on his club, and there is already a sizeable weight of expectation upon the Egypt star to guide them through this difficult period.

Trabzonspor expect Europa League football this season, and the new signing has to deliver it for them.