Trabzonspor head coach Thomas Reis expects a reaction from Hearts after their 7-1 defeat at Celtic Park on Sunday, warning his side to be ready for a dangerous response in Thursday's Europa Conference League group stage clash at Papara Park.
The German coach has studied footage of Hearts' heavy loss and believes the Jambos will arrive in Turkey with a point to prove, making them a tougher proposition than their recent result suggests.
Reis Warns of Dangerous Hearts Response
Reis said: "First of all, it could be a danger if we think they had a big defeat, sometimes that has happened in my career as a coach, I have also lost seven goals and it is not so easy. They will want to show this was a one-off and we will have to be ready."
The former Schalke boss highlighted Hearts' strengths, comparing their style to Besiktas, and stressed the need for tactical preparation against a team that presses high and rotates effectively in midfield.
"This is a really strong team. A bit similar in style of play to Besiktas, but we are prepared for this. We know that Hearts can be dangerous because of their result in the last game, they'll want to show this was only one mistake and it was a different competition," Reis added.
Salah Spotlight and Team Spirit
Reis acknowledged that the summer arrival of Mo Salah has brought increased attention to Trabzonspor, who have won their first four games under his leadership, a feat no foreign coach in the club's history has achieved.
The coach deflected personal praise, emphasising the collective effort: "It is all about the team, I have always told you that. I am only one part of the team. Yes I am the head coach but for me it is important the team believes, that they have the confidence and they enjoy to play, I have a really good team, a really good team spirit and that helps a lot."
High Ambitions in Turkey and Europe
Trabzonspor are targeting success domestically and in the Conference League, with Reis cautious about making bold promises while acknowledging the club's high expectations.
"I speak the same language as the players, when you step on the pitch, you want to win. It is not easy. We saw it in each game where we have had difficult moments. The ambitions at Trabzonspor are really high and I only want to take things game by game, step by step and we'll see," Reis stated.
The coach stressed the importance of squad fitness and luck with injuries as Trabzonspor face a busy schedule of games every three days, with Thursday's match offering a chance to extend their winning start.
