Mohamed Salah unable to prevent Trabzonspor defeat by Freiburg in Conference League

Trabzonspor suffered their first defeat of the UEFA Conference League season as Freiburg secured a 1-0 victory in the third round of matches.

Lucas Holer scored the only goal in the 14th minute, sending Freiburg to their second win of the competition.

The result left Trabzonspor on six points and temporarily eighth in the table until the remaining matches in the round have been played. Freiburg also moved to six points, placing 11th.

Trabzonspor had won their opening two matches against Finnish side KuPS and Scottish club Hearts, but were unable to extend that run against Freiburg.

Mohamed Salah started for Trabzonspor and created several opportunities, although he could not find the net.

Trabzonspor’s starting XI was Andre Onana, Wagner Pina, Chibuike Nwaoyoo, Cenk Ozkacar, Mustafa Eskihellac, Batista Mendy, Fabinho, Ernest Muci, Mohamed Salah, Paul Onuachu and Saviolo.

Freiburg strike early

The visitors took the lead after 14 minutes from a corner. The ball rebounded off Onana and fell to Freiburg right-back Lucas Holer, who followed up to score.

Salah attempted to level the match in the 26th minute when his direct free-kick struck the wall and went behind for a corner.

Trabzonspor came close again four minutes before half-time. Salah received a cross from Saviolo inside the penalty area and got his shot away, but the effort flew over the crossbar.

Freiburg therefore went into the interval with a one-goal advantage.

Trabzonspor manager Thomas Reis made a change at the start of the second half, bringing on Ozan Tufan for Batista Mendy.

The home side applied sustained pressure after the restart and threatened the Freiburg goal on several occasions, but the visitors’ defence held firm.

Their best chance came in the second minute of stoppage time. Salah collected the ball inside the area and attempted to shoot, but Freiburg defenders challenged him as he tried to get his effort away. The goalkeeper saved to deny Trabzonspor an equaliser.

Trabzonspor were awarded a corner shortly before the final whistle, with Salah delivering the set-piece and Onana joining the attack inside the Freiburg penalty area.

Freiburg’s defence cleared the danger, and the referee brought the match to an end with the visitors claiming a 1-0 victory.