KuPS Coach Makes Shocking Declaration Before Trabzonspor Clash: 'We Will Not Defend, We Must Win'

In the pre-match press conference for the opening matchday of the UEFA Conference League league phase, head coach Miika Nuutinen of KuPS (Finland) surprised the media with an ambitious declaration ahead of the clash with Trabzonspor (Turkey). The young tactician asserted that his team would not adopt a defensive approach against the opponent rated superior in every aspect. "We will not play a defensive game. We will attack and play for victory," Nuutinen declared firmly. This is considered a risky decision for KuPS, as Nuutinen himself acknowledged that Trabzonspor possesses a vastly superior squad with many world-class players. He described his opponent as a high-speed, high-tempo team that is particularly dangerous at exploiting spaces. "Trabzonspor is a very strong team. They have many world-class players in their squad. They play at high speed, high tempo and use empty spaces very well," Nuutinen said of the opponent. Notably, the KuPS coach revealed that his coaching staff had identified specific methods to stop Trabzonspor's main attacking star. He stated that the Finnish club would assign suitable players to mark this star closely throughout the match. Nuutinen also shared his personal motivation for facing one of Turkish football's biggest clubs. He views this as an opportunity to prove himself and demonstrate the capability of a young coach. Captain Petteri Pennanen expressed deep respect for Turkish football. "Turkey has a very strong football league. Trabzonspor is a quality and high-capacity team," the KuPS captain stated. Pennanen also reflected on the previous season with results that did not go as desired, while emphasizing that the European cup match is an opportunity for the team to reset and create a new turning point. He confirmed the entire squad is mentally and physically ready for tonight's match. The match between KuPS and Trabzonspor will take place at Tammela Stadium. This is a contest assessed to have a significant gap in financial strength and squad quality, as Trabzonspor comes from the Süper Lig with a transfer budget and wage bill among the highest in Turkey, while KuPS is merely one of the strongest clubs in Finland's Veikkausliiga with far more limited resources. Experts assess this as a match pitting tactical system against resources. History shows that Finnish clubs often achieve competitive results in European competition through good organization and discipline in set-piece situations. However, KuPS's decision to play attacking football against an opponent with superior transition speed carries high risk if they expose spaces behind their defensive line. The KuPS coaching staff is expected to still maintain a certain defensive structure rather than play completely open, despite the attacking declaration. In reality, language in press conferences often carries a morale-boosting element rather than serving as a precise tactical blueprint. For KuPS, a successful Conference League campaign can bring substantial revenue from UEFA prize money and coefficient points, playing an important role in the annual budget of a Finnish club. Meanwhile, for Trabzonspor, this is considered a routine match within the plans of a major club. The match promises to deliver exciting developments as KuPS is determined to express their attacking identity against a higher-rated opponent, while Trabzonspor will look to exploit their speed and squad quality to secure all three points on Finnish soil.