Trabzonspor Asserts Dominance in Black Sea Derby Thriller

Sehenswert Futmetrix-Wertung: 53/100. Trabzonspor's clinical finishing against Rizespor proved decisive in a regional derby where intensity threatened to overwhelm technique, yet superior efficiency carried the day.

Early Sucker Punch Sets the Tone

Felipe Augusto struck in the 2nd minute, catching Rize cold. The hosts responded with territorial dominance—55% possession—yet lacked the clinical edge. By the 19th minute, Onuachu doubled the lead from Inao Oulai's assist, and the match appeared settled. Rize's balance had shifted dangerously, their 22 shots yielding only 3 on target against Trabzon's 8 attempts, 5 of which found the mark.

Rak-Sakyi's Redemption Moment

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's 27th-minute strike breathed life back into the contest. Yet the underlying metrics told a damning story: Rize's 2.39 expected goals (xG) versus Trabzon's 0.47 revealed a gulf in quality over quantity. Thirty shots generated minimal stakes—a classic case of volume masking imprecision. Trabzon's defensive solidity, anchored by Stefan Savić's commanding display, weathered the storm without conceding again.

Title Race Implications

This victory consolidates Trabzonspor's position at second with 20 points from 9 matches (6W-2D-1L). Rizespor, languishing 11th on 9 points, now faces mounting pressure with relegation concerns creeping into focus. The derby's upset factor was negligible—Trabzon's superior ranking and form proved decisive. Rize's commendable effort cannot mask a season spiralling toward crisis.