Mohamed Salah Has Turned Trabzonspor Into a Serious Süper Lig Title Contender
The Black Sea club has gone from an inconsistent start to becoming one of the biggest threats to Turkey's traditional title favorites.
When Mohamed Salah left Liverpool to join Trabzonspor, it was one of the most surprising moves in European football. Three months later, the Egyptian superstar is doing more than living up to expectations. He's helping turn the Black Sea club into a genuine contender for the Süper Lig title.
Trabzonspor has won five consecutive league matches and climbed to third place with 22 points, just three behind Galatasaray, which leads with 25, and one behind surprise challenger Amedspor. It's a remarkable turnaround for a team that struggled to find consistency in the opening weeks of the season.
Their latest victory came on Sunday, November 1, when Trabzonspor defeated Gaziantep 2-0, thanks to goals from Stefan Savić and Ernest Muçi. Salah did not score but played a role in the opening goal. The result showed that Trabzonspor no longer needs a spectacular performance from its biggest star to keep winning.
Salah's Impact Goes Beyond His Goals
At 34 years old, Salah is proving he can still make a difference at the highest level. Through his first ten Süper Lig appearances, he has registered eight goals and three assists, placing him among the competition's most productive attackers and just behind leading scorers Victor Osimhen and Gift Orban, who have nine goals each.
His most impressive performance came on September 19, when he delivered a hat trick and an assist in a stunning 4-0 victory over Galatasaray. It was more than just another win. Trabzonspor had beaten the defending champion, and Salah produced his finest display since arriving in Turkey.
But his influence extends well beyond the numbers. The Egyptian remains a constant threat from the right wing, using his pace, movement and trademark ability to cut inside onto his left foot. His presence also draws defenders away from teammates, creating opportunities for players such as Ernest Muçi, Paul Onuachu and Franculino.
Thomas Reis Is Also Behind the Turnaround
While Salah is undoubtedly the biggest name in the squad, Trabzonspor's resurgence also coincides with the arrival of German coach Thomas Reis, who has transformed the team's fortunes in a matter of weeks.
After collecting just seven points from their opening five matches, Trabzonspor has taken 15 points from the last 15 available. During that stretch, the team defeated Galatasaray, Samsunspor, Beşiktaş, Rizespor and Gaziantep, scoring 15 goals while conceding only three.
Other players have stepped up as well. Ernest Muçi has contributed three goals and six assists in league play, while André Onana has brought greater stability between the posts. The Cameroonian goalkeeper arrived from Manchester United and has played an important role in a defense that has conceded just eight goals in ten matches.
With Salah's experience, improved contributions across the squad and Reis' tactical work, Trabzonspor has finally found what was missing during the opening weeks of the campaign: consistency.
Can Trabzonspor Win the Süper Lig?
The title race is still wide open. Galatasaray remains at the top of the standings with stars such as Victor Osimhen, while Amedspor has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the season. But Trabzonspor has already shown it can beat the league leader.
The club is also chasing its first league championship since 2021-22, when it ended a 38-year wait for the title. Salah's arrival has reignited excitement among supporters who have long watched their team compete against the traditional giants of Istanbul.
Trabzonspor's next league challenge comes on Sunday, November 8, when it visits Alanyaspor in a match you can watch LIVE on beIN SPORTS. Before that, the Turkish side faces Freiburg in European competition, a test that will also reveal whether its squad has the depth to maintain momentum on two fronts.
It's still too early to know whether Reis' team can sustain this remarkable run throughout the season. But one thing has changed: Trabzonspor is no longer simply the club that shocked the football world by signing Mohamed Salah. It's now a team Galatasaray and every other title contender must take seriously.
Mohamed Salah and Trabzonspor: Key Numbers
- Mohamed Salah: Eight goals and three assists in ten Süper Lig appearances in 2026-27.
- Trabzonspor: Third place with 22 points, five consecutive wins and a three-point gap to the leader.
- Next match: Away to Alanyaspor on Sunday, November 8, following a European fixture against Freiburg.
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