Mohamed Salah’s first start for Trabzonspor ended in disappointment as Ferencvarosi TC secured a 1-0 victory in Turkey in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie.
Christopher Zachariassen scored the only goal of the match in the 17th minute at Papara Park, heading in a cross to give the Hungarian side an advantage they held until the final whistle.
The result leaves Trabzonspor needing to overturn the deficit in the second leg on 27 August at Groupama Arena in Budapest if they are to reach the Europa League league phase.
Salah came close to giving the hosts an early lead when he broke through on the right and found himself one-on-one with the Ferencvarosi goalkeeper. However, his effort was saved.
Trabzonspor struggled to impose themselves during the opening half, with Ferencvarosi taking control after Zachariassen’s goal and limiting the Turkish side’s attacking threat.
The hosts improved after the interval and applied sustained pressure, but they were unable to turn their possession and chances into an equaliser.
Salah had a close-range header blocked by the defence before putting another effort narrowly wide of the post. Trabzonspor also came close through Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, whose header struck the crossbar.
The visitors were reduced to 10 players in the first minute of added time when Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaor was shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge on a Ferencvarosi player.
Despite that dismissal, Trabzonspor could not find a way through, leaving Ferencvarosi with a precious advantage to take into the return fixture.
The match was Salah’s first start for Trabzonspor. He had made his official debut for the club as a substitute in their opening Turkish league match, a 1-1 draw against Kasımpasa.
The Egypt international joined Trabzonspor as a free agent this summer after spending nine seasons with Liverpool.
Trabzonspor earned their place in the Europa League play-off round after finishing third in the Turkish league last season and winning the Turkish Cup. Those achievements gave the club the opportunity to compete for a place in the competition’s league phase.
Their next task is now a difficult one in Budapest, where they must win by at least two goals to progress without the need for extra time. Ferencvarosi, meanwhile, will seek to protect the narrow lead they established in Trabzon.