Aberdeen's Mats Knoester looks dejected after Shakhtar Donetsk's Pedro Henrique scores to make it 3-1 SNS

Aberdeen's Mats Knoester looks dejected after Shakhtar Donetsk's Pedro Henrique scores to make it 3-1

At a glance

  • Karlsson fires in penalty to put Aberdeen ahead before Nazaryna levels

  • Strikes from Lucas Ferreira and Pedrinho give Shakhtar in commanding lead

  • Devlin heads in from close range but not enough to stop winless run extending

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen's wretched winless run extended to eight games despite signs of encouragement, as ruthless Shakhtar Donetsk carved out a Conference League win at a raucous Pittodrie.

The hosts put up a spirited second-half showing once they went 3-1 down after leading, but Jimmy Thelin's side were unable to force an effective route back into the game as the Ukrainian side showed a clinical edge in front of goal.

Jesper Karlsson's early penalty was cancelled out by the first of three well-taken Shakhtar goals, with Yehor Nazaryna firing back across Dimitar Mitov to equalise before the interval.

The majority of Aberdeen fans have stood by the embattled Thelin on their torrid run, but many feared a side with the quality and reputation of Shakhtar would compound their misery.

Two quickfire goals from the visitors made that a reality.

Lucas Ferreira ghosted in at the back post to nod his side into a deserved lead, with full-back Pedrinho firing in a low, powerful drive for his side's third.

The hosts were buoyed by Nicky Devlin's close-range header - capitalising on a rebound from Marko Lazetic's sensational effort - as the Pittodrie crowd rallied around their side.

Thelin's team can take plenty of encouragement from their performance in the second half, as they showed the spirit, intensity, and energy that they have been sorely lacking throughout the start of their disappointing campaign so far.

Analysis: Can Dons push on after fightback?

Aberdeen were pulled from side to side in the first half, but they came out like a different team after the restart.

Eight second-half shots to the visitors' four, and 0.72 expected goals to Shakhtar's 0.52 are in stark contrast to a first 45 where Arda Turan's side were camped in the final attacking third.

Most encouragingly perhaps for a team which has struggled to create, six of those second-half Aberdeen attempts came from inside the area.

Thelin's side had been lamented for their inability to sustainably fashion chances so far this season, but a shift to three central defenders, allowing their wing-backs to attack more often, appears to have already helped.

Aberdeen stats v Shakhtar Donetsk

Summer signing Lazetic looked promising, too, with his ability to hold the ball up and create shooting space for himself in tight spaces adding another dimension to an attack that had been blunt for months now.

Aberdeen only played 90 accurate passes in the first half, compared to Shakhtar's 242, but their forcefulness going forward despite a lack of possession hints at an intent returning.

If they turn up with the same game plan and vibrancy against Dundee this weekend, a first Scottish Premiership win may beckon.

What they said

Positives to take for Aberdeen boss despite Shakhtar defeat

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "The positive thing was that when we are connecting with the fans, showing some desire, passion, and personality on the pitch and fighting for Aberdeen then the connection with the fans is really strong.

"We have to have that mentality every game. Now we will see the strength of character we have as a team in another important game on Sunday. equaliser.

"When we release the handbrake and start playing then everybody grows. We have to stay at this level of performance that we ended the game. We have to believe in ourselves and show the fans they can believe in us."

Former Aberdeen captain and manager Willie Miller: "When it went 3-1, Aberdeen decided they had nothing to lose, although at that point you are a bit nervous it could get embarrassing. All of a sudden, the whole game was turned on its head.

"It tells you so much when the fans stay back and applaud a team that has shown a bit of guts and determination and some good play to get themselves back into the game. You can see that things are beginning to turn around."

What's next?

Jimmy Thelin's side host Dundee on Sunday, 5 October (15:00 BST) as they search for a first league win this season.

Player of the match

N. Devlin
8.07
2 N. Devlin
8.07
22 J. Milne
7.84
27 M. Lazetić
7.61
17 J. Karlsson
7.60
10 L. Clarkson
6.91
26 A. Dorrington
6.60
5 M. Knoester
6.57
8 D. Polvara
6.45
16 S. Armstrong
6.26
1 D. Mitov
6.18
18 A. Palaversa
6.12
81 T. Keskinen
6.09
4 G. Shinnie
5.99
6 S. Heltne Nilsen
4.71
15 K. Nisbet
4.67
9 K. Yengi
4.08
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