Aberdeen

Calum Wright
Fan writer

Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong's class shone through as Aberdeen demolished Dundee to finally secure a league win.

When the pair arrived at Pittodrie at the beginning of September we all thought they'd come in and improve the side massively.

The weekend's victory was clear evidence of that being the case, with hopefully plenty more performances like that to come.

Aside from the Swedish loanee's brace – the second of which displayed incredible footwork and composure – his performance was outstanding.

So much of what was good about the Dons' play went through Karlsson as he found the half spaces and took the game to the visitors.

Armstrong showed drive from midfield that we had seldom seen prior to Jimmy Thelin's change in formation.

The former Southampton man consistently ran at – and through – Dundee, displaying a sense of urgency that's been lacking.

If the two can perform like they did on Sunday consistently and the rest of the team continue their improvement, the tide should turn for Aberdeen and hopefully we'll start to climb the table.

Calum Wright can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Lutz Pfannenstiel, who recently left St Louis City and is also wanted by Borussia Monchengladbach, leads Aberdeen's three-man director of football shortlist after speaking with the club over the weekend, but two other candidates will be interviewed before a decision is made. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Aberdeen finally picked up their first Premiership victory of the season with a comfortable win over Dundee, they've got three players in my team of the week.

Emmanuel Gyamfi came through the youth ranks at Schalke and looks like he has plenty of potential. Gets forward and reaped the rewards with a goal against Dundee.

Jesper Karlsson is one of the most exciting signings of the summer in the Scottish game, albeit a loan move from Bologna. The Swedish international joined the Italian club for a reported £10million from AZ Alkmaar and his undoubted class was on display as the Dons dam burst in the 4-0 annihilation of Dundee. His second was a sublime example of solo virtuosity, bamboozling a posse of Dundee defenders before firing into the top corner.

Stuart Armstrong has always had class in abundance and showed that against Dundee. His assist for Gyamfi's goal was football perfection.

Watch all the highlights as Aberdeen recorded their first Premiership win of the season and put four goals past Dundee.

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We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 4-0 win against Dundee, which saw the Dons end their Scottish Premiership goal drought and secure their first league win of the season.

Here's what some of you said:

Graeme: Green shoots appeared on Thursday in the second half, picked that up and then some in the first half. Tired in the second but to be expected. Need to maintain this level and energy, now they've show what they really can do.

Ross: The confidence has begun to flow and, all of a sudden, Aberdeen look like a real team again. The players seem to be learning how each other play. The passing and interplay was marvellous at times and it was matched by the grit and determination. Not sure what happened to Dundee, but that will surely give us the boost we've been looking for.

Billy: I knew the Shakhtar Donetsk game had given the team belief. Jimmy Thelin is now playing a different system and as it looked today, he has found a system that is using the players we have and helping them play to each individual players' strengths. I could pick out six or seven players who were outstanding. The whole team just clicked and having a player like Jesper Karlsson, who can make something happen from nothing, will make a difference and help us climb up the league table in the next few months. I can't fault any of the players today, they mirrored the cutting edge we had this time last year, but I'd like to see our strikers on the score sheet from now on.

Mark: The effort on Thursday has clearly given the team much more belief. It's great to see plenty of goals and that each scorer was a new signing, which will hopefully given them more confidence now. It's a big step in the right direction and hopefully the team can sustain this level of performance. Onwards and upwards.

Marco: Really good performance. The team looked like they cared and were working hard on pressing from the front. It helped that Jimmy Thelin changed the formation, which helped to not expose the defence and allow more width in the attacking areas. I was hopeful Thelin would get it right, and on the last few showings, we're getting there.

Zander: I thought Aberdeen grew into the game after the penalty. We just need to take the confidence from this game into a tough a day at St Mirren in a few weeks.

Steve: What a difference from changing the 4-2-3-1 system. I know we've been calling for him to be sacked, but Thelin can now see how Aberdeen can be formidable in the future. It was really pleasing to see the whole team having a smile on their faces once again.

Keith: Superb display. Some would say a stellar execution of the manager's plan, it could easily have been eight or nine. I hope this is a sign of life in our season and we go on a run now to climb the table.

Dave: Feels like the international break has come at the absolute wrong time. Could do with another game coming up quickly for the Dons. I had been saying as soon as we get a goal, I think the flood gates will open and that's absolutely what happened today. Great to see that all the goals and assists came from new signings as well, very promising signs after today. Feels like our season kicked off this week.

A Jesper Karlsson-inspired Aberdeen ended their Scottish Premiership goal drought and romped to their first win of the Scottish Premiership season by putting four past Dundee at Pittodrie.

• Read the full match report here.

• Let us know your thoughts.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I'm so pleased with the performance. The players put in so much hard work in training, and in other games, and didn't get the results or goals.

"We saw some signs against Shakhtar on Thursday night, and also the connection between the fans and the team growing. The energy was back.

"Today, we started the game really well and the connection with the fans was there. They saw the players' effort. That's how we grow stronger.

"The connections in the team are growing. It was important to have a clean sheet today, and be front-footed. We pushed for a victory against Motherwell, and against Shakhtar.

"We have to keep this energy. It's important that when you represent Aberdeen Football Club, you show this energy."

"We know Jesper's qualities. He's adapting, every game he's getting better and better and finding more relationships with teammates.

"He's also getting fitter, and more match fit. The whole team is growing. Everyone has their specific skills. I'm happy with the whole team. Jesper is doing really well now.

"We need to stay focused on the right things and take it game by game. We're growing. The front-foot approach is there. We have to keep pushing and taking it game by game."

Lutz Pfannenstiel, the former German goalkeeper who is in the running to become sporting director at Aberdeen, is also in talks with Borussia Monchengladbach. (Scottish Sun), external

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Manager Jimmy Thelin admits there is no escaping the importance of Aberdeen's clash with Dundee on Sunday.

The Dons have only won one of their 11 fixtures in all competitions this term and are bottom of the Premiership table with just one point and no goals from their six league matches.

Aberdeen put in a better performance in their 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League on Thursday to ease some of the pressure on Thelin, but he knows the team must win to get their league campaign up and running.

"Of course it's important. We know where we are on the table, so now all focus is on the Dundee game," Thelin said.

"We have to recover and perform really good to get the points and get into the league, and starting from there build game by game.

"That's what we have to focus on because we are where we are."

Midfielder Stuart Armstrong echoes his manager and believes Thursday's match will give the Dons the boost they need before Sunday.

"You want to take the positives from Thursday but also want to turn it into something that's real - points, wins, goals," said the 33-year-old.

"Considering our start, it places a greater importance on getting a win against Dundee. Everyone at the club knows how important it is.

"The positivity of the last 20 minutes on Thursday will fuel us and give us some energy going into Sunday."

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Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack is again urging local government to back a new community stadium at Aberdeen Beach after a study claimed it would double the club's contribution to the local economy to £64m a year.

The club-commissioned report by Biggar Economics estimates the project would create 700 new jobs, support more than 600 jobs through construction, address the city's shortfall of community all-weather pitches and bring an additional 110,000 visitors to the city each year.

"This is not just about a new stadium for Aberdeen FC, it's about what's best for our city and our citizens," said Cormack.

"The club can and wants to play a major role. But it's not for us to lead on it, nor can we drive it forward alone. We would urge our city leaders to share this ambition and deliver the right environment in which economic growth and communities can flourish.

"Realising this opportunity is in the hands of our council leaders. Only they have the mandate and the ability to secure public, capital investment to drive such a transformational project.

"And with this study showing the project would deliver at least £1.6b of economic uplift over the next few decades, the economic case for a return on investment is utterly compelling."

Council tax in Aberdeen rose by 9.85% this year, with finance convener Alex McLellan saying the council faced "incredibly challenging" circumstances and "incredibly difficult" decisions.

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen have won their past three league meetings with Dundee, after having only won two of their previous seven beforehand (D3 L2).

• Dundee are winless in 16 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L11) since a 2-1 victory in May 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Aberdeen have become the first side to fail to score in each of their opening six matches of a top-flight season since Aberdeen themselves in 1999-00. The last side to go seven games without a goal at any stage of a Scottish Premiership campaign were Livingston from October to December 2023.

• Dundee have won just one of their seven league games this season (D3 L3) and are winless away from home in the Scottish Premiership this term (D2 L1).

• Dundee have both had the fewest shots (50) and faced the joint-most shots (95, level with Dundee United) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen full-back Alexander Jensen is available after missing Thursday's Conference League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk through suspension but defender Kristers Tobers (knee) is out long term.

Dundee have Simon Murray, Paul Digby and Yan Dhanda back in their squad but have fitness doubts over Callum Jones and Billy Koumetio. Cesar Garza is still away with Mexico Under-20s.

Lutz Pfannenstiel, a candidate for the sporting director role at Pittodrie, was at Friday's Aberdeenshire Cup final between Aberdeen and Formartine United. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen ended a 549-minute goal drought in their 3-2 Conference League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, with Stuart Armstrong hoping it is a platform for better things to come.

A Jesper Karlsson spot-kick gave the Dons an early lead at Pittodrie on Thursday, although the classy Ukrainian side hit back.

"It was a relief when Jesper stuck the penalty in," explained Scotland midfielder Armstrong.

"It was a sort of clear the air, we can score a goal and build from that.

"When you don't score a goal in a few games it becomes the talking point and that is where we need to be calm within ourselves and remain focused and remain positive to show that we can be a good football team.

"I think we have shown great ability to get two goals, to show that we can do it. Sometimes it's like buses, one comes along and hopefully there are many more to come."

Aberdeen must go again on Sunday as they seek a first Premiership win of the season at home to Dundee and can take heart from a strong finish against Shakhtar.

"You want to take the positives but you want to turn it into something real; goals and points," added Armstrong.

"Every game is big but considering our start it places a greater importance on getting a win and that is what we will be looking for. Everyone at the club, we know how important the game is.

"The positivity of the last 15, 20 minutes tonight, I think will fuel us and give us some energy going in to Sunday."

Image source, SNS

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 3-2 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League, which extended the Dons' winless run to eight games.

Here's what some of you said:

Spencer: We played well, we fought well. It's a shame it adds another L on the board. Hopefully we take this performance into Sunday and this is what turns our fortune around! Back the team. Back the players. Back Jimmy Thelin.

Ross: Fair play to Aberdeen; we were up against a real top team and didn't disgrace ourselves. Maybe, just maybe, there are signs of green shoots of recovery but we absolutely cannot draw another blank on Sunday!

Brian: Hugely disappointed and encouraged in equal measures. Disappointed that we didn't get a point against an excellent team but pleased with the performance, the endeavour and structure of our play. Still backing Thelin.

Fred: A much stronger performance than of late but still a home defeat. We fought hard but were outplayed for most of the game. It is a sign of the times that we will look on a defeat as a positive. Still not strong in defence and where are our forwards?

Stuart: The desire to do well was there for the fans to see. Shakhtar are essentially a Champions League team and it was easy to see why. Slick, fast passing and clinical finishing. Second-half performance from Aberdeen gave us a lot of hope and the fight we crave was evident. Needs to continue into Sunday against Dundee. Jimmy was very positive after the game.

Marty: Much, much better from Aberdeen against a top European opponent. It was a game no one expected us to win, and there were occasions, especially in the second half when we looked the better team. The workrate and effort from the players was immense, but there is still a little bit of composure required at times.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Nicky Devlin says the positives Aberdeen can take from their Conference League display against Shakhtar Donetsk will count for nothing if they don't beat Dundee in the Premiership on Sunday.

The Dons ended a six-game run without a goal by taking the lead at Pittodrie before succumbing to a 3-2 loss to the the Ukrainian league leaders.

Aberdeen will hope it can be a turning point in a season where they have mustered just one win in 11 games in all competitions and occupy bottom spot in the Premiership.

Right-back Devlin, who scored his side's second goal against Shakhtar, said: "We have to win on Sunday. It is as simple as that, none of this means anything if we can't go and win.

"It was definitely a better performance, but unless we go and build on it, it doesn't really mean much.

"A good performance is the minimum we should be giving, the effort, workrate and fight should be a given.

"It is now about building on it and making sure we go into this international break off the back of winning this game on Sunday."

While Aberdeen will get some plaudits for their continental showing, manager Thelin remains under serious pressure.

His team go into Sunday's visit of Dundee four points adrift at the bottom with no league goals and just one point from their opening six games.

"The pressure is maybe something we have not handled well so far this season in games that we have lost," Devlin added.

"It is something we have to improve on. If you don't want to play under pressure then it is probably not the place to come to play.

"It's a one-club city and there is pressure on you all the time to go and win games. It is nothing new but we have to be better in those moments."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Three fresh summer arrivals were named by Jimmy Thelin in his starting XI to face Shakhtar at Pittodrie, and all three repaid their manager's show of faith despite the Dons' narrow defeat.

Stuart Armstrong, Marko Lazetic, and Jesper Karlsson were industrious when needed and dynamic going forward when freed up.

Lazetic, once of AC Milan, arrived to much acclaim, as did on-loan Bologna winger Karlsson, and both showed their potency and threat.

The former looked promising, 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.

While the latter showed some much-needed confidence to bury his early penalty and remained lively, showing his determination to pitch in for the side and defend as part of a unit, too.

Armstrong was crucial in linking the play but did his best work off the ball, working doggedly to stop the visitors progressing into the final third.

Read more: Are Aberdeen showing signs of releasing handbrake?

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Former Aberdeen defender Willie Miller on BBC Sportsound

You felt when it went to 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 they opened up, the whole game was turned on its head. Marko Lazetic's turn and strike was something special.

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.

BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English on Sportsound

Aberdeen made a real fight of it and scored a couple of goals, maybe that's going to unlock something. Maybe mentally when you don't score a goal for so long, it's got to be a problem.

I thought they played pretty well and lost it. They need to back it up now at home to Dundee and away to St Mirren.

Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson on BBC Scottish football podcast

Jimmy Thelin has tweaked the formation a wee bit, they were a bit more defensive, they looked a bit more solid.

But the game against Dundee on Sunday, the expectation is to win. I would be surprised if he plays the 5-4-1 system again because he's going to have to dominate possession and create more chances.

Lutz Pfannenstiel, who held talks with Aberdeen about becoming director of football, is in negotiations about taking that role with Borussia Monchengladbach after the 52-year-old's recent exit from St Louis City. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I think in the first half we were on the back foot a little bit.

"Shakhtar are a good team and in the second half we were not happy with how they scored the goals. We scored two goals against them and when you do that you have to be more stable to get a point or win the game.

"We have to learn from this now.

"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 football club then the connection with the fans is really really strong.

"We have to build on this now and learn from this that we always have to go out on the pitch to show how hard we are fighting for them.

"We did that today, the fans pushed the players to the last minute. 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.

"Of course we are disappointed to lose the game but proud of the players how they pushed to the last minute and tried to get an 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."