Trabzonspor's Ukrainian star Ruslan Malinovskyi has issued a call for unity to the fans following the disappointment of the UEFA Europa League play-off exit. According to a report by Sabah Spor, the midfielder took to social media to emphasize the team's need for support after receiving a red card in the match.
The club was eliminated from Europe after a 4-0 away defeat to Ferencvaros, a match in which Malinovskyi was sent off for the first time in his career. This result forces Trabzonspor to focus solely on their domestic campaign, where they currently sit 4th in the Süper Lig with 4 points. The team has scored 3 goals and conceded 2 so far this season, leaving them 2 points behind league leaders Gençlerbirliği S.K.
How did Malinovskyi assess the red card?
Ruslan Malinovskyi stated that the Ferencvaros match left a deep mark on him. The Ukrainian midfielder expressed that he completely shares the pain and disappointment of the supporters. Malinovskyi recalled that he never received a red card during his long career in Italy. He considers this a sign of his professionalism and deep respect for fair-play. He described the card against Ferencvaros as bad luck and an accident.
What does the team need right now?
The core theme of Malinovskyi's message was a call for fan support and unity. The player said, "Right now the team needs your hearts and your support. Believe in the team and we will come back stronger." He believes the club's bright future is built in such dark moments. This call comes at a critical time as the team looks to solidify its league position. You can follow the latest Süper Lig standings on our standings page.
What's next in the Süper Lig?
With European dreams over, Trabzonspor's full attention now turns to the domestic league. The team has taken 4 points from their first 2 matches, with a recent form of WD. They boast a +1 goal difference. Up next is a home fixture against Kocaelispor on December 20, 2026. Their opponent currently sits 11th in the table. You can view the team's full schedule ahead of this important match on our fixtures page.
Malinovskyi's message indicates the team is going through a difficult period but has the capacity to bounce back. The experienced player's effort to lead and rally the fans behind the team will be important in the coming weeks. The squad aims to maintain its depth and current form to sustain its title challenge in the league. Information on the squad's status at this early stage of the season is available on our squad page.
