Mohamed Salah vows Trabzonspor’s European setback will fuel bid for silverware

Mohamed Salah says Trabzonspor’s failure to reach the league phase of the Europa League will provide extra motivation as the Turkish club aim to win trophies this season.

Trabzonspor moved into the league phase of the UEFA Conference League after losing 5-0 on aggregate to Ferencvarosi in their qualifying-round tie. The defeat brought a difficult night for the club, but Salah insists the disappointment can become a driving force rather than a setback that defines their campaign.

“Nothing in my career has ever been easy,” Salah wrote on his Facebook account.

“Tough nights and disappointments are an inseparable part of football, and I have learned to turn them into motivation and trophies.”

Salah also reaffirmed his commitment to Trabzonspor and the project at the club, despite the heavy European defeat.

“Trabzonspor is my club, and I am part of this project with all my heart and soul. What happened last night will not change that in any way,” he said.

“I know the expectations are high, and I firmly believe that we are capable of achieving victory and that we will do so.”

He added: “‘I came here to win’ is not just a slogan for me.”

Salah joined Trabzonspor recently and has made four appearances for the club so far. Across all competitions, the team have won one of those matches, drawn one and lost two.

Trabzonspor’s fixtures in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League are:

– Freiburg of Germany at home – Crvena zvezda of Serbia away – Hearts of Scotland at home – KuPS of Finland away – Jablonec of the Czech Republic at home – CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria away

The Turkish club endured further uncertainty after the defeat by the Hungarian side, with head coach Fatih Tekke announcing his resignation. Trabzonspor’s board rejected the decision in an official statement, leaving the club to continue under his management.

Their immediate focus now turns back to domestic football. Trabzonspor are preparing to face Amed in the third round of the Turkish league on Monday.

The club’s European campaign will therefore continue in the UEFA Conference League, where Salah will have the opportunity to respond to the disappointment of the Ferencvarosi tie and pursue the success he says was central to his decision to join Trabzonspor.