Trabzonspor manager Thomas Reis plans to rotate his starting lineup for the UEFA Conference League match against KuPS Kuopio. Reis will make changes both to assess players ineligible for the Süper Lig and to manage squad fatigue ahead of Sunday's key derby against Beşiktaş.
The team currently sits 5th in the Süper Lig with 13 points from 7 games. Coming off a 3-0 win against Samsunspor, Trabzonspor's form in the last five matches reads win, loss, win, loss, win. The club, three points behind leaders Galatasaray, next faces second-placed Beşiktaş in the league on October 18th.
REASONS FOR ROTATION
Thomas Reis will implement changes in both defence and attack for the European fixture. There are two primary reasons for this rotation. The first is to give playing time to squad members like Batista Mendy and Benjamin Bouchouari, who are not registered to play in the domestic league. The second is to manage player load within a congested schedule.
Reis aims to win the match against KuPS Kuopio but is also considering physical and tactical balance in his selections. A victory against the Finnish side could provide an advantage in the European group stage. However, the manager's main focus remains on the vital Süper Lig derby against Beşiktaş this Sunday.
Trabzonspor targets three points in this Conference League match. But Thomas Reis's ultimate goal is to field the strongest possible side for the Beşiktaş clash, a match of great importance for the league's top-tier race, which kicks off at 19.00 on Sunday at Medical Park Stadium.
The report in full is at cnnturk.com
