Trabzonspor's Line-up: Tekke's Bold Decision on Salah

Fatih Tekke has laid down an early marker with his first league line-up of the season, leaving new Egyptian signing Mohamed Salah among the substitutes for Trabzonspor’s opening Turkish Super Lig trip to Kasimpasa.

All eyes had been on whether the summer arrival would be thrown straight into the starting XI. Tekke has decided otherwise, trusting the core that carried Trabzonspor through pre-season and keeping Salah in reserve as an impact option.

Tekke’s first XI of the season

According to Gazete Pencere, Trabzonspor will start with Onana in goal, behind a side built to attack from wide and support the towering presence of Paul Onuachu up front.

The visitors’ XI: Onana, Savic, Nwakaeme, Pina, Mustafa, Bouchouari, Aral, Malinovskyi, Metehan, Savio and Onuachu.

It’s a blend of familiar faces and creative threats. Ruslan Malinovskyi offers control and long-range danger from midfield, while Nwakaeme and Savio bring guile and pace in the final third. Onuachu, as ever, stands as the focal point, the man expected to finish off the moves.

Salah, though, will have to wait. His debut could still come under the lights from the bench, depending on how the night unfolds.

Kasimpasa’s response

Kasimpasa, looking to spoil Tekke’s opening weekend, send out a settled-looking side of their own.

Their XI: Andreas, Arous, Eli, Yesin, Wink, Baldursson, Mendes, Diabate, Murtaza, Guven and Bendezik.

It’s a line-up built to compete in midfield and break quickly, with Diabate and Guven offering the main attacking threat. With referee Gorkan Hasova in charge, both teams will be eager to set the tone early and avoid the kind of chaotic opener that can derail a season before it starts.

Early pressure in the title race

Reigning champions Galatasaray have already stumbled, opening their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Corum. That result leaves the door slightly ajar for rivals who can start fast and build momentum.

Trabzonspor now know exactly what’s on offer: three points, a statement away win, and the chance to apply pressure from day one. The question is simple—will Tekke’s bold call to hold Salah back look like caution, or genius, by the final whistle?