Trabzonspor's Bold Move: Salah on the Bench for Super Lig Opener

Fatih Tekke has laid down an early marker at Trabzonspor, leaving new Egyptian signing Mohamed Salah on the bench for their Turkish Super Lig opener away to Kasimpasa.

On the first weekend of the new season, the former club icon has trusted his established core and pre-season work over the noise around his latest attacking arrival. The game will be officiated by Gorkan Hasova.

According to Gazete Pencere, Trabzonspor line up with Onana in goal. In front of him, Savic anchors the back line, with Nwakaeme, Pina and Mustafa completing a side built to control territory as much as the ball.

The midfield and attack carry the creative load: Bouchouari, Aral and Malinovskyi provide structure and passing range, while Metehan and Savio are tasked with supplying leading striker Onuachu, who again shoulders the responsibility of finishing chances.

Kasimpasa respond with a starting XI that suggests they have no intention of simply absorbing pressure on home turf. Andreas starts in goal, protected by a defensive unit of Arous, Eli, Yesin and Wink. Baldursson and Mendes sit in the engine room, with Diabate, Murtaza and Guven offering support to Bendezik in attack.

The selection call on Salah will draw attention, but Tekke’s decision hints at a longer game: easing a new signing into a side already drilled for a demanding campaign rather than throwing him straight into the chaos of an opening weekend away fixture.

Elsewhere, the standard has already been set at the top. Reigning champions Galatasaray began their title defence with a 2-2 draw against Corum, dropping early points and leaving the door slightly ajar.

Trabzonspor now know exactly what a strong start could mean. On a weekend when the champions have already blinked, Tekke’s line-up will show whether this team is ready to pounce.