Trabzonspor down but not out

By Türker Tozar

Trabzonspor are in determined mood as they contemplate overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit against Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta FC.

Point to prove
The Black Sea club may have been humbled in Nicosia last week but they are out to prove it was just a blip on their way to securing a third qualifying round tie against Scottish champions Rangers FC. As such, forward Fatih Tekke, who gave his side a lifeline with their only goal a week ago, will start this evening despite a persistent groin injury.

Coach confident
Trabzonspor coach Senol Günes has called on his captain and team to show their strength in front of an expectant home crowd. He said: "Losing the first leg against Anorthosis dented our morale. However, we want to get rid of this mood by recording a victory by at least a two-goal margin to eliminate the Cypriot side.

Belief required
”We have the power to do it. All we need is the ability to show our strength on the pitch. We believe in ourselves and want all our supporters to have faith in us," Günes added. As well as calling on his inspirational captain, the coach will bring in Adem Koçak to replace the suspended Guinean midfielder Ibrahima Yattara.

Jun ineligible
However, new Czech striker Tomáš Jun will be ineligible after signing in a reported €3m move from AC Sparta Praha last week. The 22-year-old scored 14 goals for the Czech champions last season but was signed too late to be able to play tonight. However, his acqusition suggests that Trabzonspor are thinking big for the coming campaign.

'Unexpected results'
Günes is well aware that the greatest clubs have had to show courage in adversity - witness Liverpool FC's comeback in the UEFA Champions League final last May - and believes his team have what it takes to keep their European dream alive. He said: “Sometimes you can get unexpected results in football but Trabzonspor are not a team that panic after a defeat or get into an arrogant mood after one win.

Win expected
"We will be the side that will make the least mistakes and pressure our opponents with our play. In order to prove that the first leg result was an accident and to continue our bid for the Champions League, we are obliged to eliminate Anorthosis."

'Great character'
The Cypriot side are still celebrating what coach Temur Ketsbaia described as "one of the greatest results in the history of Cypriot football". The Georgian coach believed his team had already shown "great character to bounce back" from Fatih's equaliser in the first meeting by scoring two late goals, and would again be able to rise to the challenge in Turkey.

Rangers warned
That said, he added: "We have an extremely difficult game in Turkey and I know that we will have a big job to do there because I have played in Trabzon before and I can tell you that things will not be easy for us." With both sides sure to give their all, Rangers' scouts would do well to make plenty of notes in Trabzon tonight.

Additional reporting by John Leonidou