Aberdeen 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Barry Robson's side earn first European group-stage win since 2007
- Published
Ester Sokler's fine finish secured victory for Aberdeen in their final group game
Aberdeen had "as good a result as they've had here in a long, long time" to take the scalp of Eintracht Frankfurt and conclude their Europa Conference League campaign with a first European group-stage victory in nearly 16 years.
The Scottish Premiership side had their backs against the wall for the majority of the first half against the Bundesliga heavyweights, who thrashed Bayern Munich at the weekend.
But Pittodrie erupted when Duk slid in his third goal in the competition, sweeping in Shayden Morris' low cross from the right.
A more progressive second-half performance was capped by Ester Sokler's cute finish to send Barry Robson's side into Sunday's Viaplay Cup final against Rangers full of confidence.
Despite the victory, Aberdeen are out of Europe having finished third in Group G, while Eintracht progress in second spot in the group.
"It's the emotion that takes it out of you, these games," manager Barry Robson said after their first group-stage win since 2007.
"We scored 10 goals in Europe. That is not easy to do against that quality of opposition. I am really proud of the players for performing the way they've performed.
"That's a game they'll always remember, playing against a World Cup winner in Mario Gotze. They have some top, top talent, they've spent millions. The boys will remember that game."
With Sunday's Hampden showpiece in mind - a game Robson will be hoping is remembered for the same reasons - Aberdeen made eight changes and hoped the "freshness" of his young team could upset Eintracht's rhythm.
His hopes were far from realised initially, with Aberdeen failing to garner anything resembling a chance in the visitors' box for much of the first half.
Eintracht had nothing to show for their dominance, though, with their profligacy punished moments before the break by Duk.
In a far more balanced second period, the hosts discovered their own groove.
Substitute Nicky Devlin claimed for a penalty but it was quickly forgotten when Dante Polvara sent a teasing ball over the top for Sokler to cushion in.
Player of the match - Kelle Roos
While he didn't have to make any world-class saves, Roos ensured the Aberdeen goal remained unbreached. Confident and composed, he fielded everything that came his way
Perfect preparation for Sunday showdown - analysis
About time, isn't it? A first group-stage win in Europe since 2007 and it's the least Aberdeen's efforts deserve from the competitive campaign they've had.
Robson's side have scored in all six group games. That's no mean feat. Had they just buried a few more - or conceded a couple fewer - it could have been a very different final matchday at Pittodrie.
It wasn't the best performance they've put in during their impressive campaign, but qualities on show will need to be repeated on Sunday at Hampden.
Robson's men were well organised and batted away everything Eintracht threw at them. Albeit it wasn't much. They must have used it all up against Bayern at the weekend…
Seeing Aberdeen clinical on the counter is nothing new, but doing it on the big stage against a top side sets them in good stead for Hampden.
The players lapped up the applause from those still in the stands post-match. There's a feel-good factor heading into the game now that few would have expected a matter of weeks ago.
What they said
'Scottish football should be proud of Aberdeen'
Aberdeen manager Barry Robson: "They have performed so well and I am just glad we got that win because we deserve to be on more points than we are in Europe.
"I know people have given us some stick, and rightly so at times, but it's not easy fighting on three fronts and I think we've done it really well.
"The boys should be proud. I said to them when you are a football player, playing in European group-stages is something you'll always look back on. It's what I always look back on, they were the best times for me. I'm really pleased for them to get that win."
Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmoller: "I am disappointed we couldn't get the result that we wanted. We couldn't score then you lose the game because in the defence we made two easy mistakes.
"I have a lot of respect for Aberdeen but I think it was not the challenge of them that was too big. I think today we were not good enough to score and we had the chances.
"We had control of the game and with every statistic we were better, but on the score sheet they had two goals and we didn't score."
What's next?
Aberdeen face Rangers in the League Cup final at Hampden on Sunday (15:00 GMT) before hosting Livingston next Wednesday (19:45).
