Trabzonspor Defeating Rizespor 4-3 in Black Sea Derby Thriller

Trabzonspor claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory against Çaykur Rizespor in the Black Sea derby during the ninth week of the Trendyol Süper Lig at Çaykur Didi Stadium. The high-scoring encounter delivered intense drama from start to finish, ultimately seeing the visiting side secure all three points after a remarkable second-half comeback.

The hosts started the match aggressively, taking control of the scoreboard in the first half. Gennaro Borrelli opened the scoring for Çaykur Rizespor in the 12th minute with a precise finish following a setup from the right flank by Mithat. Borrelli struck again in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on a cross from Mebude to double the lead and send Rizespor into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

Facing a deficit, Trabzonspor responded with an explosive offensive surge immediately after the break. Melih Kabasakal narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the 49th minute by converting a through ball from Mohamed Salah. Just two minutes later, Aral Şimşir leveled the score at 2-2 in the 51st minute with a delicate lob over the goalkeeper following another assist from Muçi.

The momentum completely shifted when Franculino Dju scored in the 57th minute. After Salah supplied an initial pass, Muçi fired a shot that was parried by the goalkeeper, allowing Dju to react quickly and push Trabzonspor ahead 3-2. However, Çaykur Rizespor fought back resiliently, equalizing at 3-3 in the 68th minute through a goal by Qazim Laçi.

With the match hanging in the balance, Dju stepped up once more in the closing stages. In the 83rd minute, he exploited space behind the defense, darted down the left channel, and struck a powerful shot into the back of the net to seal the 4-3 triumph for the visitors. The defense held firm during the remaining minutes to preserve the narrow lead.

Prior to the kickoff, both managers highlighted the competitive nature of the regional rivalry. Rizespor head coach Recep Uçar noted the intensity of the fixture, stating, "We prepared for this match in the best possible way. Trabzon and Rize are two neighboring cities sharing the same geography. Everywhere in the world, matches between two neighboring cities bring increased excitement and a different meaning." Uçar also acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by their opponents, pointing to their recent defensive record and quality players.

Trabzonspor manager Thomas Reis praised his squad's depth and mental fortitude ahead of the match, expressing respect for the opponent's dangerous position in the standings. Following this hard-fought victory, Trabzonspor looks ahead to hosting Gaziantep FK, while Çaykur Rizespor prepares to travel for a fixture against Kocaelispor.