We were not at our best against Freiburg – Trabzonspor star Mohamed Salah after defeat

Trabzonspor captain Mohamed Salah has called on his teammates to remain united and respond positively after their impressive seven-game winning streak came to an end with a 1-0 defeat against Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League.

The Turkish side suffered their first defeat in the Europa League league phase after failing to find a response to Freiburg’s winning goal, bringing an end to their remarkable run of victories across competitions.

The result also left both clubs level on six points after three rounds of matches, making the defeat an important setback for Trabzonspor’s ambitions in the competition.

Despite the disappointment, Salah refused to shy away from his own contribution to the result, admitting that both he and teammate Fabinho failed to deliver their best performances on the night.

Speaking after the final whistle, the Trabzonspor captain acknowledged that the two experienced players could have done more to help their team avoid defeat.

“Fabinho and I both realise that we were not at our best tonight,” Salah said, as reported by Goal.

The Egyptian international further admitted that he failed to make the most of the opportunities that came his way, while also acknowledging that Fabinho was aware of his own shortcomings during the encounter.

“I had opportunities that I should have taken advantage of, and Fabinho also knows that he could have performed better,” he added.

However, Salah insisted that the team must not allow one disappointing result to affect their togetherness or confidence, stressing that difficult moments are part of football and require a collective response.

The former Liverpool star urged his teammates to stand together rather than allow frustration to creep into the dressing room, particularly with several important fixtures still ahead.

“But this is football, you can’t disappear when things go wrong, you have to stick together, especially in matches like this,” he continued.

His comments reflect the importance of maintaining a strong mentality within the squad as Trabzonspor attempt to recover from the setback and return to their winning ways.

The defeat brings an end to Trabzonspor’s seven-match winning streak and serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with competing in European football.

However, with six points already collected from their opening three league-phase fixtures, the Turkish side will be determined to respond positively in their upcoming matches.

Salah’s message will be particularly important as Trabzonspor look to maintain their confidence, rediscover their winning rhythm and strengthen their position in the Europa League standings.