Having embarked on a Champions League adventure for the first time in the history of the club, Trabzonspor proceeded to secure a good start by beating Italy's Inter Milan by 1-2, despite seeing lesser success and just five points in the past four weeks of the Super League. Tonight Trabzonspor faces their second Champions League test in a game against France's Lille.
Built in 1951, the 25,000 spectator capacity Avni Aker Stadium will be opening its doors to a Champions League game for the first time ever. Trabzonspor's sole intention tonight is to acquire an additional three points to secure an advantage in Group B.
The organized play style set up by Lille, the latest French champions, coupled by Trabzonspor striker Burak Yılmaz's absence from a red card penalty drawn out from the Europa League play-off game against Athletic Bilbao are factors that have Trabzonspor worried..
Trabzonspor will also be missing Volkan Şen whom has yet to don a uniform in a Champions League game and will not be benefitting from Robert Vittek who has had to say farewell to the season after suffering an injury in a league game against İstanbul BŞB. Speculation has also abounded that the Avni Aker Stadium's field may have suffered significant damage from heavy rain in recent days.