Trabzonspor collects more points away from home under Fatih Tekke
Trabzonspor’s remarkable run of form on the road has become one of the most striking features of their season. Under head coach Fatih Tekke, the Black Sea side has turned into a team that feels just as comfortable – if not more – away from home as it does in front of its own supporters. The 2-1 away victory over Gaziantep FK in Week 23 of the Trendyol Süper Lig once again underlined this shift.
After 23 league matches, Trabzonspor have built a strong overall record: 14 wins, 6 draws and only 3 defeats, collecting 48 points. What sets this campaign apart is that a larger portion of those points has come from away grounds rather than from Papara Park, their home stadium – a rare situation for a club traditionally known for its fortress-like home atmosphere.
At Papara Park, Trabzonspor have played 11 matches so far this season. In those games, they have registered 6 wins, 4 draws and just 1 loss, earning 22 points. That is a strong return, reflecting consistency and resilience in front of their fans. However, when the team leaves Trabzon, their performance becomes even more impressive.
On the road, in 12 away fixtures, Trabzonspor have claimed 8 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, adding 26 points to their tally. This means the club has gathered four more points away than at home despite playing one extra match on rival turf. From a statistical standpoint, that is a clear indication that the team’s away game plan and mentality have been transformed.
The points-per-game figures confirm this trend. At home, Trabzonspor average exactly 2 points per match. Away, the average rises to 2.16 points per game – a very high rate by any standard. For a club competing for top positions in the Süper Lig, such an away performance is often the difference between mid-table stability and genuine title or European contention.
This season’s numbers are even more striking when compared with last year’s away record. In the previous campaign, Trabzonspor struggled severely outside their own stadium. Over 18 away matches, they managed only 3 victories, along with 7 draws and 8 defeats, totalling a modest 16 points. Those results created the impression of a team that lost its confidence and identity on the road.
By contrast, by the end of Week 23 this season, they have already collected 26 points away from home – an 8-point increase on last season’s entire away total, achieved in significantly fewer matches. This sharp improvement illustrates how profoundly the team’s away performances have changed within a relatively short period.
Fatih Tekke’s influence is central to this transformation. Since taking charge during last season, he has overseen 18 away matches across two campaigns. In that stretch, Trabzonspor have lost only 3 times on the road, a dramatic shift from their previous fragility. Two of those defeats came against Fenerbahçe – a 4-1 loss last season and a narrow 1-0 defeat this year – while the other was a 4-3 reverse against Gençlerbirliği this season, a high-scoring and chaotic encounter.
Outside of those three setbacks, the Black Sea side has been extremely efficient. Under Tekke, Trabzonspor have earned 11 victories and 4 draws away from home in those 18 matches. Such a record would be admirable even for a title-chasing side and shows that the team has learned to manage different environments, match tempos and opponent styles without losing its own structure.
One of the key narratives of this turnaround is the end of what many viewed as an “away match phobia.” When Tekke took over after the Week 27 fixture against Atakaş Hatayspor last season, Trabzonspor were in the middle of a deep crisis on the road. In their first 12 away fixtures of that campaign, they had failed to win a single match, recording 5 draws and 7 defeats. Each trip had begun to feel like an ordeal rather than an opportunity.
Hakim Tekke’s first away test was against RAMS Başakşehir, and that match became a turning point. Trabzonspor produced a commanding performance and won 3-0, finally ending a 300-day drought without an away league victory. This result did much more than add three points to the table; it restored belief within the squad and showed that the psychological barrier could be broken.
That triumph at Başakşehir also carried symbolic importance: it was their first away win of the league season, achieved in their 13th road match, and it came under the guidance of a young coach who was still in the process of imposing his ideas. From that moment, the perception of Trabzonspor’s away games started to shift from fear and hesitation to determination and confidence.
Behind this statistical rise lie several tactical and psychological elements. Tekke has introduced a more compact structure for away matches, emphasizing disciplined defending, quick transitions and effective use of set pieces. Rather than chasing games recklessly, Trabzonspor have become adept at managing tight scorelines, defending leads and striking at the right moments. This maturity is often what separates successful away sides from those that crumble under pressure.
The mentality of the players has also evolved. Long winless streaks away from home tend to weigh heavily on squads; every missed chance and conceded goal adds to the anxiety. By securing a convincing, multi-goal victory like the 3-0 at Başakşehir, the team broke that cycle. With each subsequent away win, the old narrative of weakness on the road has been replaced by one of reliability and strength.
Another important factor is squad rotation and depth. Competing in a demanding league requires players who can handle the travel, different pitch conditions and fluctuating atmospheres in opposition stadiums. Under Tekke, Trabzonspor’s rotation policy has allowed the team to maintain energy and intensity in away games, with fresh legs and specific roles tailored to the opponent.
The contrast between home and away performances has also affected how rivals approach Trabzonspor. Opponents now respect – and sometimes fear – their efficiency on the road. This can open tactical advantages: teams are less likely to attack recklessly at home against Trabzonspor, aware that leaving space can be punished. As a result, Tekke’s side has often been able to control the rhythm of matches, even in hostile environments.
Looking ahead, maintaining this away form will be essential if Trabzonspor wants to remain in the upper tier of the table. Title races and battles for European spots are often decided by how consistently a team can collect points away from its own stadium. With a current away average of over two points per match, Trabzonspor are operating at a level comparable to the best sides in the league.
However, the challenge now is sustainability. Rivals will study their play, adjust their strategies and search for weaknesses in Tekke’s system. Managing fatigue, injuries and suspensions over the rest of the season will be crucial. If Trabzonspor can preserve their defensive solidity and keep their attacking efficiency in away fixtures, the points they collect on the road may prove decisive in shaping their final league position.
In summary, Trabzonspor have turned what was once a glaring weakness into a clear strength. Under Fatih Tekke, the club has not only improved its results away from home but fundamentally changed its relationship with away fixtures. From a team haunted by a long winless streak, they have become one of the most reliable travellers in the league, collecting more points on rival pitches than at their own Papara Park and setting a new standard for their future campaigns.