One win, one draw, one loss. After three Süper Lig matchdays, Trabzonspor sit provisionally 11th, a lackluster record fueling criticism of Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, repeatedly singled out for risky distribution since the start of the season.
Monday's setback against Amedspor could have further isolated the Indomitable Lions' goalkeeper. Fatih Tekke did the opposite: speaking to Turkish outlet Trabz10TV, the coach publicly defended his decision to keep starting Onana, results notwithstanding.
"Onana puts in enormous effort to win. Sometimes it looks like he isn't respecting the game plan, and I've warned him about it a lot. We don't play long balls, we try to build. What he does is only to score as quickly as possible. I can't blame him for that. He's a very important player for Trabzonspor," Tekke told the outlet.
The explanation sheds light on a recurring tension since Onana's arrival on the Black Sea coast: the Cameroonian goalkeeper, used to quick, long distribution at his previous clubs, sometimes struggles to fit into the patient build-up play his coach wants. A tactical disagreement Tekke chooses to read as excess willpower rather than indiscipline.
The public backing carries a bitter aftertaste: it comes as Fatih Tekke himself announced his resignation, following Trabzonspor's elimination in the Europa League play-off round. Beaten 5-2 on aggregate by Hungary's Ferencváros, the Black Sea club will instead compete in the Conference League group stage this season.
André Onana will therefore have to convince a new Turkish coach of the merits of his style, at a club undergoing a sporting overhaul barely a month into the season.
