Aberdeen

We asked for your views on Aberdeen facing Shakhtar Donetsk, Strasbourg and Noah at home and Sparta Prague, AEK Athens and AEK Larnaca away in the Conference League.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Tough set of fixtures. Need to win against Noah and Larnaca, and if we can sneak a win against one of the bigger sides, it should give us a chance of the play-offs.

Angus: We pretty much got the highest quality teams from every pot. Whether that will help us grow or hinder us financially will be tough to tell. Difficult times this year though.

Graeme: I can see us getting just one win here, against Noah, and maybe even not that.

Ron: Being realistic, the Dons will find it tough, but Jimmy Thelin needs to buy a striker and a central defender to augment a side that will be stretched. More games in a congested calendar.

Need luck with injuries and luck with the VAR shambles of one or two of last year's matches, and we need to see out games when trying to hold on to slender leads. It will be challenging in all respects.

Stuart: If we get our team sorted out in the next month, it's possible we could get eight points from the league. Definitely dodged a bullet by avoiding the Europa League!

Arch: There's nobody in that group the Dons can't beat. On the other hand, there's nobody in that group that can't beat the Dons. It will be interesting. As I spend a lot of time in Cyprus I may go to the Larnaca match, it would be the furthest I've gone for an away game.

Callum: Draw could have been worse but also better. Take a home game against a pot one side. Never an easy game in Europe, so long as it's a good performance every game and do what we can do, we may have a chance of reaching the knockouts.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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The flight home from Bucharest must have felt like a trip around the world for Ester Sokler and his Aberdeen team-mates.

The Dons dropped out of the Europa League and into the Conference League in agonising fashion as a first-half red card and penalty for FCSB turned the finely-poised play-off tie in favour of the Romanian champions.

In the aftermath of that painful defeat, manager Jimmy Thelin and defender Mats Knoester were quick to stress that "game-changing" decision was not an excuse, but it sure scuppered their chances.

As did Sokler's sitter inside the opening two minutes.

Handed a start after his thundering header in the first leg at Pittodrie hauled Aberdeen level, the Slovenian had the chance to slot his side ahead for the first time in the tie when the ball broke to him in the six-yard box.

The effort was timid and time proved it to be costly.

The striker struggles for consistency and starting berths, but had that gone in, it just might have been the launchpad he needed.

He was sacrificed at half-time as Thelin shuffled his pack following Alexander Jensen's dismissal.

A challenging Conference League campaign now awaits the Dons, but not before they attempt to pick up their first league win of the season against newly-promoted Falkirk.

Read more: Weekend's Scottish Premiership picks

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Marko Lazetic could be in the Aberdeen squad for the first time although manager Jimmy Thelin plans to ease the Serbian in gently. Defenders Kristers Tobers and Emmanuel Gyamfi are set to remain sidelined.

Falkirk will include new signing Kyrell Wilson after the winger joined on loan from Swansea but Aidan Nesbitt, who is facing three months out injured, joins Ethan Ross, Jamie Sneddon, Tom Lang, Finn Yeats, Coll Donaldson and Barney Stewart on the sidelines.

Aberdeen also explored a deal for the return of Bojan Miovski before the Macedonia striker signed a four-year contract with Rangers, having completed a medical in Paris after an initial fee of £3m was agreed with Girona for the 26-year-old. (Filip Mishov on X), external

Luton Town have agreed a deal to sign 23-year-old Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Aberdeen have learned their Conference League opponents.

Jimmy Thelin's side will host Shakhtar Donetsk, Strasbourg and Armenian side Noah - and visit Sparta Prague, AEK Athens and AEK Larnaca.

Fixture details will be confirmed by Uefa this weekend.

What do you make of the draw? Can the Dons make the play-off rounds?

Share your views here.

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Aberdeen legend Willie Miller on BBC Scotland

I think Jimmy Thelin has an identity - he kept two up top in the second half when it would have been easy to go with one.

They've got to lift themselves mentally and physically now. FCSB didn't look as though they were going to hurt Aberdeen because of that organisation.

Falkirk are up next, and Aberdeen have to look at that as three points.

It was a very good first half, though the red card and penalty incident was a body blow to them - a brutal decision.

When that happens in Europe, it's really difficult to recover from.

Former Aberdeen striker Billy Dodds on BBC Scotland

It's the way it's been going for us over the last few nights. It's been a kick in the teeth [the penalty decision].

Aberdeen will feel hard done by. It was going perfectly until that decision [the red card].

Former Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty on BBC Scotland

On the controversial penalty award

I don't think there's enough in that. I don't think there's enough contact.

For me, I'd say that is not a penalty. It is so harsh to give a penalty and a sending off. Aberdeen have done so well. That is so hard on them. So harsh.

Ryan Flynn, former St Mirren midfielder, on BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast

Aberdeen... are they going to put on a good performance throughout the whole of this European campaign? I'm not convinced.

I do have concerns for them. I just think, with the way they've started the campaign, the Scottish Cup win last season probably painted over a lot of cracks.

I think it could be a tough one. I didn't feel like players really believed last night when they went behind, and obviously, it is tough in those situations.

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 3-0 loss at FCSB that completed a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the Europa League play-off and consigned the Dons to the Conference League.

Here are some of your comments:

Steven: Dreadful decision by VAR [on Alexander Jensen red card and penalty]. Double punishment made it worse, which completely changed the game. That is not a way to determine a cup tie. Better luck to Aberdeen in the Conference League!

Euan: Gutted. Bitter. Frustrated. Proud. Somehow all four. We gave four goals away through sloppy passing or team mistakes. Typical us but somehow though I still think we were the better team but we will never really know. The great shame is both games were affected by red cards. Our red was flat out the wrong application of the rules. Onwards to the Conference. Lets get some scalps.

Allan: No doubt red card changed the game. If only we managed to get more out of the first leg and this is where my ire is with Jimmy Thelin and his squad. To me the team looks undercooked. Poor pre-season and of the eight or so new signings only one looks to make a difference. Proper signings and big improvement in performances needed ASAP or fans will start to turn.

Michael: If you lose your two main strikers in the close season and don't replace then then it's little wonder you lose both your opening league games (without scoring a goal) and then get dumped out of the Europa League by a very ordinary team.

Rich: The penalty and sending off is a complete disgrace and totally ruined the tie.

Fred: Started well but FSBC took full advantage after the sending off. We failed to do this during the first leg. I cannot understand why we made the half-time substitutes as we simply had no threat second half. Our manager is too complacent and seems to have signed some substandard players, it will be a hard season I fear.

Jimibub: If we play like we did with 11, and actually start converting chances, we will be fine. It's yet another dodgy call that has hurt our European coffers, as has often happened over the last few years. But as Knoester says, it's no excuse, especially for players who have all experienced this before.

Ten-man Aberdeen dropped into the Conference League as a frustrating first-half red card and FCSB penalty turned the Europa League play-off tie in favour of the eventually comfortable Romanian champions.

Read the report here.

Have your say on the game - and penalty decision - here.

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Defender Mats Knoester says Aberdeen can't use Alexander Jensen's red card and FCSB's penalty as an "excuse" for the club's Europa League play-off defeat.

"I think we were in the game in the beginning, we did quite well, until the penalty.

"I think that was a massive hit for us, but then the way we respond, we should do better and stay in the game longer.

"You know you're going to get one or two chances and then it's still possible, you know? So yeah, disappointment is the logical feeling after.

"I don't want to use it as an excuse, but it is a massive decision.

"I haven't seen it back yet, but from what I saw in the game, it looked like quite natural movement and then also the sending off, once again it's not an excuse because we can still react after that and still with 10 men we can do better, but it was a big decision.

"In the home game as well, we had our chances and we gave away cheap goals.

"They use that, they punish us directly, which we forget to punish them if they give us something.

"Now it's disappointment, but we have to switch fast, first of all, Sunday and still in the Conference League.

"You always need to learn and not be stuck too long in the disappointment.

"You have to be critical against each other, but also to yourself and then move on because the next one is the most important now."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "It's not an excuse but it's a tough one and of course, it changes the dynamic of the game.

"Over the two games, we get punished but we can't punish them, that's the difference but the penalty situation changed the dynamic of the game.

"I think in both games, when we played 11-11, we were quite stable.

"In these situations with the skill of the opponents, when you make a mistake, they have enough quality to hurt you and also when we get our own opportunities, we have to find the calmness and create more in our own situations.

"For us, it's most important that we're taking some steps also in these situations.

"I think you see the supporters we have here today, they're travelling far to support us and the players also know what is important - that's football. You have to move on quick and be ready for the Sunday game.

"And that's also my job, to get the players in that direction because that's how you grow as a person, as a player and you take responsibility."

On Shayden Morris, who wasn't in the matchday squad due to "strong interest", Thelin added: "He's been allowed to travel, but I can't say more than that because no deal is done yet.

"The transfer window is there and we have to always adapt in football and take the situation where it is and focus on the things we can control."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Bucharest

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Around 800 Aberdeen fans have made the trip to sunny Bucharest.

Hopefully they have remembered to pack their sun lotion, with the temperature hovering around the 30 degree mark.

I am sure they will be taking plenty of fluids on board.

Those I have spoken to over the past 48 hours, both in Scotland and here in the Romanian capital, are pretty confident about their side's chances of progressing to the Europa League.

It is an optimism fuelled partly by FCSB's poor form so far this season and that the Dons showed they are capable of hurting them in last week's first leg at Pittodrie.

Jimmy Thelin's men still face a difficult task at the National Arena tonight - but recent history suggests there is reason to believe.

A couple of seasons ago, when Aberdeen were last on the European stage, they were written off by many.

Despite that, they gave a very good account of themselves - I watched as they delivered impressive displays - both home and away - against Eintracht Frankfurt, PAOK and HJK Helsinki.

A number of members of that squad remain. In fact two of them - Dante Polvara and Ester Sokler, who found the net in some of the above mentioned games, got the goals as Aberdeen fought back from two down for a draw against FCSB last week.

If the Dons use that recent big-game experience on the continental stage and deliver a similar performance, can they upset the odds again?

Aberdeen have agreed a six-figure fee for Celtic left-back Mitchell Frame. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Bucharest

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Cup-winning captain Graeme Shinnie says it would be "another massive moment in my career" if he can lead Aberdeen to Europa League qualification.

The Dons face Romanian champions FCSB in the second leg of their play-off in Bucharest on Thursday after last week's dramatic 2-2 draw at Pittodrie.

Shinnie, who has six Scotland caps, skippered his home-town team to Scottish Cup success last season on his 300th Dons appearance, 10 years after leading Inverness to glory in the same tournament.

"I am getting on a bit now, I am still involved in these big games and I have still got opportunities to continue to achieve things in my career," said the 34-year-old.

"If I could drive the team on to qualify for the Europa League, it would be another massive moment in my career.

"When you come away from home in Europe it is always tough. You know you need to work as hard as you can, give everything. The crowd will be behind them, a beautiful, big stadium, so the atmosphere will be electric.

"It is these types of games in football if you do win them then you will remember them after your career, they are great moments."

With his team 2-0 down, Shinnie came on midway through the second half in the first leg and had a big part to play in turning the tie around.

The Aberdonian believes they can go on and get the job done in the Romanian capital, where the winners will progress to the Europa League and the losers drop down to the Conference League.

"There is strong belief, you have to have belief or there is no point in playing in the game," added Shinnie.

"We go into every game thinking we are going to win and we have the belief that we are going to win.

"It was a good first game at Pittodrie, pretty even. We made a couple of mistakes, gave away a couple of goals, the character in the squad was good to bring it back so it is all in the balance, it has the makings to be another good game."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Bucharest

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg with FCSB.

Here are the key lines:

• Thelin says his team have "learned from the last game" and hopes "we can do better tomorrow" after last week's 2-2 draw against 10-man FCSB.

• The Dons boss adds: "Both teams know what is on the line".

• When asked if he can read into FCSB's poor domestic form, Thelin says: "The league is one thing... this is a different kind of game".

• The Swede says Aberdeen "are really prepared and ready for this game", adding "the most important thing is our team spirit".

• On choosing to have the weekend off to prepare for the game, Thelin believes "for us it was good because we had some players with small issues and they got some extra time to prepare themselves".

• Thelin was asked if he has found the outspoken comments from FCSB owner Gigi Becali arrogant, but he didn't get drawn on the subject: "He believes in his team, in his club, and that is fine with me. We believe in ourselves, our club and our players".

• On his team news: "Everybody is back".

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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A dramatic night at Pittodrie saw Aberdeen rescue a draw against Romanian champions FCSB to keep their Europa League dream alive ahead of tomorrow's play-off second leg in Bucharest.

Once again, weak defending and mistakes left what was a youthful Dons side in an almighty hole at 2-0 down before Jimmy Thelin's substitutes ensured they still have a chance of progression.

The headline-maker was Dante Polvara, a player the supporters have been desperate to see more of in the Swede's starting XI. But Ester Sokler, Leighton Clarkson and captain Graeme Shinnie also played their part in at least cancelling out the damage done although the fact Aberdeen were playing 10 men for 50 minutes also played into their hands. Will all four start this time?

Polvara's opportunities to impress Thelin were hit early last season when he picked up a hamstring injury in training that sidelined him until December, but he was superb last Thursday and could be a big player for the Dons this season if he's allowed off the leash.

Thelin's preference tends to be to start Sivert Heltne Nilsen, his lieutenant at previous club Elfsborg, but the veteran Norwegian doesn't offer the same drive or threat that Clarkson and Polvara do though it remains to be seen if that is how Thelin will read it when he names his team for the second leg.

When they played in the Conference League two seasons ago, Aberdeen produced some encouraging displays in their away games at Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK.

And they are coming up against an FCSB side that have made a spluttering start to their season having been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers while embarking on a poor start to their Romanian title defence.

On Sunday, they lost 2-0 at home to Aberdeen's former Uefa Cup opponents Arges Pitesti, who the Dons faced the last time they were in Romania in 1981, with outspoken owner Gigi Becali once again unable to resist criticising the display in the media.

They left out star man Daniel Birligea, who scored and set the other one up at Pittodrie, and have now won just one of their seven league games and two out of 10 overall, the two legs against Kosovan minnows Drita in the last round.

A place in the Europa League would give the Dons a massive boost, do they have it in them and will their American from the Big Apple be trusted to provide it?

Aberdeen are set to sign teenage Celtic left-back Mitchel Frame on a four-year deal - their 10th signing of the summer. (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Winger Topi Keskinen says Aberdeen are "really confident" they can see off FCSB in Bucharest on Thursday and secure Europa League qualification.

The play-off tie is finely poised after the Dons came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Romanian champions at Pittodrie.

"We got a draw from 2-0 down, which is quite good, but we were in control of the game and we were the better side," Finland international Keskinen told BBC Scotland.

"We deserved to win, we didn't get the win, but we are really confident for the game.

"We are going to play for the win. After the first game, I don't see why it is not possible. I think we played really well, it is just a few moments where we were not 100% they scored two goals."

For all that was good about the way Aberdeen played in the first leg, two defensive lapses led to the two FCSB goals.

"Usually in these European games and in the league as well, when the level gets better and you are sloppy in some situations and you give them a chance, they are going to punish you," added Keskinen.

"That is what happens so we just need to be ready for those moments in the game on Thursday."

The 22-year-old, who helped Aberdeen to Scottish Cup success in his debut season after moving from HJK Helsinki, is relishing the European journey with the Dons, having lined up against them for his previous club in the Conference League a couple of seasons ago.

"All these European games, they are a bit special," he added.

"I saw when I played in Helsinki the Aberdeen fans that were there. There were loads of them, thousands of them, chucking snowballs at our keeper, and you could see they have their passion for European games, they obviously have it for the league as well, but European nights are a bit special."

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Aberdeen showed great character to haul themselves off the canvas and we have given ourselves a great chance of qualifying for the Europa League proper.

No matter how Graeme Shinnie wanted to cover it up, two individual errors gifted FCSB goals, and credit must go to a huge save from Dimitar Mitov as it quite easily have been 3-0.

However, those called off the bench answered Jimmy Thelin's call and Dante Polvara and Ester Sokler rescued the draw.

The former must really wonder what he needs to do to break into the Dons midfield and the latter will hope his late equaliser earns him a start in Thursday's second leg.

This weekend Falkirk visit Pittodrie as we search for our first Premiership points. It feels like two defining games for our season, but with European league-stage football guaranteed, Sunday's fixture carries just as much importance.

Glen can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external