Comfortable victors in the first leg of their Europa League second-round qualifying contest, Trabzonspor seek to finish the job against unfancied MFK Ruzomberok on Thursday at the Senol Gunes Sports Complex.
The Turkish hosts strode to a 2-0 triumph in their inaugural battle in northern Slovakia, but a turnaround is not totally out of the question; their visitors already have one three-goal European win under their belts this term.
Match preview
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Prolonging his prolific streak in a Trabzonspor jersey, former Aston Villa attacker Trezeguet was responsible for the Turkish titans' opening goal in their first-leg showdown with Ruzomberok, assisted by 34-year-old Bosnian playmaker Edin Visca.
Abdullah Avci's crop looked set to only take a one-goal lead back to base, only for a pair of super subs to combine for an injury-time insurance goal, as Mislav Orsic teed up Cihan Canak to fire in a second from range and make Trabzonspor's position all the more commanding.
That 2-0 success marked the first competitive match of the Black Sea Storm's 2024-25 campaign, and one which should see them avoid an unwanted fate in the Europa League; they have never suffered elimination as early as the second qualifying round before.
Making their mark in the latter stages of European competitions has been a tall order for Trabzonspor, though - they only have one Europa League and one Europa Conference League knockout appearance to their name - while also enjoying one short-lived Champions League campaign in 2011-12.
Domestic and continental form is undoubtedly on the Turks' side, though, as the first-leg triumph represented their fifth win from their last six competitive battles, and only one of their worst European capitulations would deny them a third-round tie with Rapid Wien or Wisla Krakow now.
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On the contrary, Slovakian minnows Ruzomberok are tasked with pulling off one of their greatest continental comebacks if they are to edge closer to the coveted proper tournament, albeit in its new league phase rather than the recognisable group format following the wholesale changes.
Ondrej Smetana's men laid down quite the marker in their maiden Europa League battle this term, smashing Tobol 5-2 before suffering an inconsequential 1-0 loss in the return fixture, but defeat in front of a 4,500-strong crowd last week leaves them on the brink of familiar European failure.
Not since a first-round UEFA Cup elimination in 2006-07 have Ruzomberok reached the proper phase of a continental competition; they have a handful of first and second-round Europa League qualification exits under their belts, as well as getting to round two of Europa Conference League qualification in 2022-23.
The new Slovakian Super League is also underway for the Rose, who drew 1-1 with Dukla Banska Bystrica in their maiden fixture on July 28, making it just one win from seven competitive fixtures for Thursday's underdog visitors.
Pre-season was also a forgettable period for Smetana's troops, who only won one of their six friendly fixtures from June 14 to July 3, although they will have a shot at European redemption in the Conference League if they fail to pull off a magnificent turnaround in Trabzon.
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Team News
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Trabzonspor did not sustain any fresh fitness or disciplinary concerns in the first leg, although new defensive signing Stefan Savic was not involved; the ex-Atletico Madrid man was not selected for the hosts' Europa League qualifying squad.
However, former Rangers and Sheffield United lynchpin John Lundstram completed the full 90 at the base of the Trabzonspor midfield, but fellow new arrival Denis Dragus failed to make an impact up front and was hooked early in the second half.
The Romanian should not be in much danger of losing his spot, though, while neither Orsic nor Canak are likely to force their way into the wide spots despite their late contributions last week.
Regarding Ruzomberok's availability, left-back Alexander Selecky is in the medical bay with an unspecified concern and should not be involved, but Smetana's squad are in strong shape otherwise.
Winger Marian Chobot only lasted until half time in the first-leg loss, before Kristof Domonkos was also hooked during the interval in the recent league draw, although neither are thought to have been injury-related.
Chobot's place in the XI is under some threat, though, as Martin Boda - a first-leg subsitute - was promoted to the starting lineup and scored the opener in the stalemate with Bystrica.
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Tufan, Mendy, Denswil, Elmali; Gunes, Lundstram; Visca, Bardhi, Trezeguet; Dragus
MFK Ruzomberok possible starting lineup:
Fruhwald; Mojzis, Gabriel, Maly; Domonkos, Lavrincik, Luteran, Tucny; Gerec, Chrien, Boda
We say: Trabzonspor 2-0 MFK Ruzomberok (Trabzonspor win 4-0 on aggregate)
The 5-2 thrashing of Tobol aside, Ruzomberok do not pack much of an attacking punch and should not pose much of a challenge to the Trabzonspor backline, but it will be a different story at the other end of the field.
With experienced attackers aplenty, the Turkish side ought to add to their aggregate advantage and ease into the third round of qualifying without breaking too much of a sweat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
