Kanikovsky Helps Ferencváros Upset Trabzonspor in Europa League Playoff

Israeli midfielder Gabi Kanikovsky played a key role as Ferencváros secured a surprising 1-0 away victory over Turkish side Trabzonspor in the Europa League playoff on Thursday. Kanikovsky, recently linked with a return to Maccabi Tel Aviv, started on the bench and was brought on in the 61st minute to help his team maintain the lead and gain a strong advantage ahead of the second leg in Hungary.

Egyptian star Mohamed Salah started for Trabzonspor for the first time after previously appearing only as a substitute in the league. Despite hopes to lead his new club to a promising lead, Salah was unable to influence the game, leaving Trabzonspor at risk of dropping to the Conference League.

In other European fixtures, Oscar Gloukh started for Ajax and played 72 minutes in a 4-2 away win against Sivasspor in the Conference League playoff. Meanwhile, Mohamed Abu Fani missed Red Star Belgrade's 3-0 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen due to suspension, and injured Stav Lemkin was not included in Twente's squad for their 1-0 Conference League loss to Qarabag.