Trabzonspor’s European hopes suffer as Freiburg hold on for victory despite Salah’s missed chance

Trabzonspor’s hopes of reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Freiburg at Papara Park.

Lukas Kubler scored the only goal in the 14th minute, reacting quickest inside the penalty area after Trabzonspor goalkeeper Onana failed to hold the initial effort.

The Turkish side pushed for an equaliser throughout the match, with Mohamed Salah proving their main attacking threat. The Egyptian forward controlled a cross with his chest before shooting over the crossbar, while another free-kick was blocked by the wall. He also produced several moments of skill through his movement and passing.

Trabzonspor appealed for a penalty when Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu went down after being pushed inside the area, but the referee waved play on.

The hosts relied increasingly on high balls towards Onuachu and their advancing defenders after the interval, but Freiburg dealt with the pressure. The German side remained dangerous on the counter-attack and from set-pieces, and came close to extending their lead on several occasions.

Trabzonspor’s clearest opportunity arrived in the 60th minute. Salah found himself on the goal-line in front of an open net after a corner reached him, but he somehow directed the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. The miss prompted visible frustration among the home supporters as the chance to level the game went begging.

The defeat moved Trabzonspor out of the positions guaranteeing direct qualification for the last 16. They are 12th in the league phase with six points from three matches, level with Freiburg, who also have six points but sit 14th.

Elsewhere, Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty. Marko Juralj put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute, before Nikola Krstovic equalised for Atalanta with a late goal in the 82nd minute.

Red Star Belgrade came from behind to beat Inter d’Escaldes 2-1 in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. Arilano gave the visitors the lead, but Vladimir Lucic levelled for Red Star before Yota Nakayama scored the winner in stoppage time.

Ajax produced the biggest win of the round, thrashing Danish hosts Midtjylland 6-1. Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare scored twice, while Owen Wijndal, Davy Klaassen, Oscar Gloukh and Marcos Leonardo also found the net. Friday Etim scored Midtjylland’s only goal.

Monaco defeated FC Nordsjælland 2-0, with Ditarbet opening the scoring and Mathys Abline adding a second in stoppage time.

Brighton earned a valuable 1-0 away win against Getafe through a goal from Malick Yalcouye, while Panathinaikos overturned an early deficit to beat CSKA Sofia 2-1. Denis Almedia put the Bulgarian side ahead, but David Calabria and Vicente Taborda completed the Greek club’s comeback.