Trabzonspor takes to the pitch for a comeback in their UEFA Europa League play-off tie, trailing 1-0 against Ferencvaros. The second leg kicks off at 21:30 TSI on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Groupama Stadı in Budapest.
Trabzonspor, who sit 4th in the Süper Lig with 4 points from two games, aim for a different outcome on the European stage. The Black Sea Storm needs to win by a two-goal margin to secure a place in the Europa League group stage. However, manager Abdullah Avcı faces significant selection headaches. Folcarelli, Okay Yokuşlu, and Batagov are out injured. Nwaiwu is suspended. Also, Fabinho, Draguş, Mendy, Lundstram, Cihan Çanak, and Göktan Gürpüz are not on the UEFA list and are ineligible for the match.
Trabzonspor's squad is severely depleted for the key UEFA Europa League play-off. The three injured players leave notable gaps in midfield and defense. The absence of the suspended Nwaiwu could also impact attacking plans. The six players not registered for UEFA competition further limit the manager's options. This situation places a heavy burden on younger players and experienced squad members waiting for their chance.
The match will be refereed by Rade Obrenovic from the Slovenian Football Federation. His assistant referees will be fellow Slovenians Jure Praprotnik and Grega Kordez. The Slovenian officiating team represents a neutral administration for Trabzonspor on foreign soil. Having scored 3 and conceded 2 in the league this season for a +1 goal difference, Trabzonspor must maintain defensive discipline in Europe. While Mohamed Salah is their top scorer with 2 goals, he will need to carry an even greater load in this match.
Due to a UEFA penalty, Trabzonspor fans are banned from attending this critical play-off match in Budapest. The Groupama Stadı will host only Ferencvaros supporters. This presents an additional psychological challenge for the visiting team. The players will have to put in extra effort to maintain high motivation and make their voices heard on the pitch. According to our Süper Lig standings page, Trabzonspor, just 2 points behind leaders Gençlerbirliği, is a team accustomed to tough environments.
Qualifying for the Europa League group stage is of major sporting and financial importance for Trabzonspor. The focus will shift back to the domestic league after this match. Trabzonspor's next Süper Lig fixture is at home against 11th-placed Kocaelispor on December 20, 2026. A victory before that long break would boost the team's morale and positively impact their season plans. The current objective, however, is clear: complete the turnaround in Hungary.
