Aberdeen been written off before - Thelin
Conference League: AEK Larnaca v Aberdeen
Venue: AEK Arena, Larnaca Date: Thursday, 6 November Time: 17:45 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app
Jimmy Thelin says it is important his team show "a different kind of Aberdeen" against AEK Larnaca in Thursday's Conference League match after the "big learning point" of their 6-0 humbling at AEK Athens.
The Dons are looking for their first points in the competition following defeats by Shakhtar Donetsk and Athens in their opening two games.
"It was a big learning point for many of us and we can see now that we feel much better prepared for this game," said Thelin.
"It is so important for us that we can show a different kind of Aberdeen that play a little bit more in a calmer way, take the game from minute one and don't give away the game and try and stay in it and try to find a way to win."
While the Scottish Cup winners have struggled on the continental stage this term, Larnaca have made an almighty mark.
The Cypriot Cup winners are joint top of the Conference League after backing up their opening 4-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar with an even more impressive 1-0 victory against Premier League Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Given the contrasting form of the two sides, is Thelin worried his players may be going into their Cyprus assignment with a sense of trepidation and fear?
"Absolutely not," he replied. "We have played a final before and no-one expected us to win.
"The trick is to always go in with the same energy to every game and that is the thing we have to grow in to when we are on this journey that we are on right now; and show our fans that travelled here to watch us and even the fans at home that we can do better than we did last time.
"We are going to give everything we can to win this game."
Aberdeen may be bottom of the standings but Thelin maintains they can still defy the odds and qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
"Of course, nothing is impossible," he said. "There are still points there to take to give you a chance to qualify so that is our aim and that is what we need to focus on.
"It is going to be a really tough game but you have to believe it."
Team news
Veteran former Sunderland centre-half Valentin Roberge is an injury doubt for Larnaca.
Left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi is available for Aberdeen after a spell out. Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Ante Palaversa are out but are likely to return after the November international break, while Alfie Dorrington faces up to four weeks on the sidelines.
What they said
AEK Larnaca manager Imanol Idiakez: "We have six points, we are really happy for this but we absolutely respect Aberdeen.
"We respect the history, we respect the squad, we respect what they are doing and we know tomorrow when the whistle goes it is going to be tough, we are going to have to give our best."
Aberdeen defender Mats Knoester: "A big opportunity again to show ourselves in a good way. I want to show a better Aberdeen than we did in Europe last time. We can do way better.
"If we learn from last time and we do the things better like we did [against Kilmarnock] there is no reason to not be able to get a result. We owe them a better performance, the fans, but also ourselves."
Match statistics
Aberdeen sit bottom of the Conference League following two defeats.
Larnaca sit second after two opening victories.
Aberdeen have won three and lost once against Cypriot opposition.
Larnaca have never before faced Scottish opponents.
Aberdeen last played Cypriot opposition when they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Apollon Limassol in the Europa League third qualifying round in 2017 following a 2-0 away defeat.
Larnaca have faced British opponents three times, beating Cliftonville in 2016, losing to West Ham United in 2023 and beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in London last month.
Aberdeen have won three of their past five games, losing two, including a 6-0 thumping away to AEK Athens last month in the Conference League.
Larnaca are unbeaten in five games, winning 2-1 away to Apollon in the league on Sunday after Thursday's penalty shootout win over Pafos in the Cypriot Super Cup final.
Aberdeen sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership, while Larnaca are fifth in the Cypriot First Division, five points behind leaders Omonoia.
