Mohamed Salah’s European campaign with Trabzonspor suffered an early setback as Ferencvarosi took a 1-0 lead into half-time in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie in Turkey.
Christopher Zachariassen scored for the Hungarian side in the 17th minute, heading a cross beyond Trabzonspor goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The match is being played at Senol Gunes Sports Complex, with the winners over the two legs earning a place in the league phase of the Europa League.
Zachariassen’s opener came after Ferencvarosi worked the ball into a crossing position. The delivery found the midfielder in space and he directed his header into the net, leaving Onana unable to prevent the visitors from moving ahead.
The goal gave Ferencvarosi the advantage in a tie that will decide which club advances to the main stage of European football’s second-tier competition. Trabzonspor must now respond in the second half if they are to avoid taking a deficit to the return match.
For Salah, the match represents his first start for Trabzonspor since joining the Turkish club this summer. The Egypt forward made his official debut as a substitute in the opening game of Trabzonspor’s domestic league campaign, when they drew 1-1 with Kasımpasa.
His inclusion from the beginning against Ferencvarosi marks a significant step in his early involvement with the club, although the opening 45 minutes have not gone as planned for the home side.
Trabzonspor qualified for the Europa League play-off round after finishing third in the Turkish league last season. They also won the Turkish Cup, securing the opportunity to compete for a place in the league phase.
The second leg between the Turkish and Hungarian teams will take place on 27 August at Groupama Arena in Budapest. Trabzonspor will need to overturn Ferencvarosi’s advantage in that match to progress.
The first goal was also shared in a video post carrying the caption: “After a perfectly delivered cross, Christopher Zachariassen scores Ferencvarosi’s first goal.”
The result leaves Ferencvarosi in the stronger position at the interval, while Trabzonspor face the task of finding a way back into the tie after conceding at home.