Aberdeen

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

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 2-2 draw against 10-man FCSB at Pittdorie in the first leg of the Europa League play-off.

Here's what some of you said:

Justin: Great to dig out a result and fair play for the second-half performance but the schoolboy errors can't keep happening, we've got no chance if they do. The crowd was amazing and just shows how much the fans want to do their bit.

Fred: A very good game. I cannot understand why Dante Polvara never starts, he is by far our best player. Great to see the second-half intensity but why was Kusini Yengi signed? We desperately need a new striker. Next week's second leg will be fascinating if the manager gets his starting XI right.

Peter: You can see what Jimmy Thelin is aiming for. The players are working towards it. It's just that final third. 2-0 down should've been avoided but I'll take 2-2 with all to play for next week.

Nik: Hopefully the comeback will spur them on for the next leg. Even with XI I didn't think FCSB were anything special. Thelin really has to get the right starting line-up for next week. His loyalty to certain players is becoming almost farcical now. Get this right, we might have a chance.

Alasdair: At least we are heading to Romania with everything to play for. Very worried as the centre-backs were easily exposed for both goals, needed much tighter marking. We are still lacking convincing firepower up front, shame we didn't make full advantage of the numerical advantage.

Eric: A great comeback, but we can't afford to go two down every match. The real difference here was composure, which they had in abundance, especially up front. Too many times we sent in poor quality high balls into the box. We need that high tempo game from the first minute, a striker, and we can have a good season. Confidence will bring the composure.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Defender Alexander Jensen says Aberdeen must cut out the mistakes but have "everything to play for" in the second leg of their Europa League play-off with FCSB.

The Romanian champions - who had Juri Cisotti sent off in the first half - capitalised on defensive mistakes to go 2-0 up at Pittodrie through Daniel Birligea and Darius Olaru before the Dons fought back for a draw with goals from substitutes Dante Polvara and Ester Soklert.

It leaves the tie on a knife-edge for the return in Bucharest on Thursday.

"We know it is costly in these games. When you play those kind of teams with a lot of quality, we know we can't do mistakes like that as they will score," said Jensen.

"There is a lot to take with us but also we know we have to stay sharp throughout the whole game to be competitive in these games.

"It was great we kept going and showed great character in the second half to make these two goals, so there is still a game to play next week."

Aberdeen are able to fully focus on the second leg after taking up the option to postpone this weekend's Premiership trip to Dundee United.

Jensen added: "It is good that we can have the week off to focus on that game. We have everything to play for in one week.

"We know it is going to be a tough game there. They are an experienced team in Europe so hopefully we can do it, but it is going to be difficult."

Former Aberdeen defender Willie Miller on BBC Scotland

It is a disappointment because it is only a draw - but there is hope there.

It is still level and Aberdeen have shown what they are capable of. The manager has big questions in terms of his starting line-up, with Dante Polvara in particular and Graeme Shinnie too.

Polvara down the left is such an outball. He's a big, strong unit as well and the goal - he shouldn't really be scoring from that position, facing away from goal. That fires the crowd and players up and gives them the optimism that they can get something out of it, which they did. He made a huge difference.

Ex-Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on BBC Sportsound

The comeback is huge. There has been a fair bit of money spent but there's been a wee sense of negativity early on this season at Aberdeen.

To come back from 2-0 down helps things move in the right direction and validates what Jimmy Thelin is trying to do. Even though it's not a victory, it feels like and they've got to take that positivity from the comeback into next week.

What does Polvara need to do to start a game? Ante Palaversa and Polvara for me are the two midfielders that should be starting. They've got the physicality, they're athletic, great passing range. For the life of me I don't understand why they don't start most games.

Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson on BBC Scottish football podcast

It's been the story of season so far for Aberdeen, the defensive side of things. When you're playing at that level and you make these kind of mistakes, you're going to get punished.

FCSB getting a man sent off was huge for the game because it got Aberdeen back into it. I think they ended up dominating possession.

And a lot of these European teams are really good defensively, but Aberdeen managed to break them down twice. It's going to be very difficult next week when they go over, but it's still alive.

Former Aberdeen striker Billy Dodds on BBC Scotland

Aberdeen will have to defend better in the second leg and not gift the Romanians goals. Both goals conceded were so poor. But it was a really good reaction after that.

Thelin got his tactics against the 10 men spot on when they were 2-0 down.

When they were shifting it and trying to get round the back, they were also able to float a diagonal for Polvara or Ester Sokler with the height advantage.

Substitutes Dante Polvara and Ester Sokler helped revive Aberdeen's Europa League hopes as they came from two goals down to draw with 10-man Romanian champions FCSB.

Defensive frailties had threatened to derail the Scottish Cup winners' hopes in their play-off first leg at Pittodrie, despite FCSB playing for nearly an hour a man down.

Dons fans, what did you make of the game? How do you feel ahead of the second leg?

Give us your thoughts here.

Read the match report here.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "First of all, how I can say, we had the 12th player today.

"The fans helped us come back in the game and gave us a chance for the second leg, and the way we came back and created chances was good.

"Then, of course, we have to improve the composure when we arrive at the crossing zones and raise the quality. And of course the goals they score, it can't happen in this kind of game today, it happened.

"Of course they [FCSB] use situations really well and keep the quality when they get the chances, but it's more about how we behave in these situations, and even at beginning of the game we start creating chances.

"The mentality and the spirit from the fans to help us come back in this game is a positive thing, but we need to improve, we can't give away the situations we did.

"It doesn't matter if it's in the play-off or in the league or in a League Cup or Scottish Cup, we have to be much better in these situations because that's football and I think we learned a lot about ourselves today.

"Now we have one week to prepare ourselves for the second game and try to win that one, to go through.

"We have to be stable for the whole game to deserve to win, but again, the spirit the players showed today and with our fans was so important for us.

"The game is fully alive. We have a big chance to go through. We have to just do some parts better."

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Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie tells BBC Scotland: "Obviously disappointed to go two goals behind.

"The heart and the character, driven on by the crowd who were phenomenal, that was there to come back.

"It's in the balance, they're a good side. With the crowd's backing there as well, we could drive on and create more chances.

"That's more like what we should be with that level of intensity. The belief is firmly there. and we're looking forward to it."

Aberdeen goalscorer Ester Sokler tells BBC Scotland: "I'm happy with the goal, that's the striker's job, but I'm disappointed to not get more from this game.

"We have it in our hands for next Thursday. Maybe I could score one or two more, but this is football and we go again next Thursday."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

A visa issue has ruled three FCSB players out of tonight's Europa League play-off first leg with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Montenegrin left-back Risto Radunovic, South African centre-half Siyabonga Ngezana and Ghanaian midfielder Baba Alhassan have all made the trip to Scotland, but will now not be involved.

The trio had to stay at the team hotel on Wednesday night instead of training at Pittodrie before a final decision on the matter.

Head coach Elias Charalambous yesterday said: "We have to be ready for everything. We have a huge squad, many players, whatever the situation is we have to find the correct solutions. I am not worried because we have players."

The Romanian champions will go into the game as favourites, something Charalambous is not paying any attention to.

He added: "I believe that the two games are 50/50. I have in my mind to see two very tough games that will be decided next week."

FCSB defender Mihai Popescu, who previously had spells at St Mirren and Hearts, says there is no "big gap" in quality between Scottish and Romanian football.

"The quality of the players and of the teams is quite similar, here they are more aggressive than other leagues," said Popescu.

"But I think the players in Romania play more quickly than here so hopefully we will show that."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, Getty

FCSB, who visit Pittodrie tonight for the Europa League play-off first leg, have recent pedigree and in Romania striker Daniel Birligea they have a man who scored 21 times last season and has continued that form into this campaign.

In midfielder Juri Cisotti, they have a 32-year-old who is hitting his best in his twilight playing years, with FCSB owner Gigi Bicali confident the Italian could be the difference against the Dons.

Captain and attacking midfielder Darius Olaru, who played at Euro 2024 for Romania, dictates play while former Hearts and St Mirren defender Mihai Popescu has forced himself into the international reckoning this year during the latter part of his career.

The club waited nine years for league title success but have just gone back-to-back despite their troubles early on this term. Last year began in a similar fashion before they roared to the finish line with an unbeaten run of 24 Liga 1 matches.

Another recent addition to both FCSB and the national team has been striker Dennis Politic, who was brought in from Dinamo Bucharest in the summer and has already been seduced by the confidence of his chairman.

"It will be a tough match against Aberdeen, but the boys on the team beat much tougher opponents last year. We have to go modestly from the first match, motivated, so I don't think we will have any problems."

If that last line isn't pinned up by Jimmy Thelin, it will surely be mentioned in dispatches in the build-up to what is a huge match for the Scottish Cup winners.

Are they ready?

Read more: What can Aberdeen expect from FCSB?

Manager Jimmy Thelin has refused to rule out a move to bring Scotland forward Kevin Nisbet back to Aberdeen. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack says the club will give the local council the land on which Pittodrie sits to ensure their new beachside stadium is built - and stop the city "sleepwalking into an economic crisis". (Press & Journal)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

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Jimmy Thelin has praised Slobodan Rubezic's "hard work and professionalism" after the defender completed a permanent move to Polish side Korona Kielce for an undisclosed fee.

The defender made 57 appearances for the Dons and scored one goal over the two seasons he was at Pittodrie.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at his former club, FK Novi Pazar.

Thelin said: "Since his return for pre-season Slobodan has made it clear that it is important for him to get regular game time this season.

"Unfortunately, that is not something we can guarantee him here at Aberdeen and this move, which allows him to be closer to home, will enable him to focus on his next stage of his career.

"Slobodan was a popular figure at the club, and we thank him for his hard work and professionalism during his time with us. We wish him every success"

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dimitar Mitov has urged Aberdeen "to create history" by securing their place in the Europa League.

They face Romanian champions FCSB at Pittodrie in the first leg of their play-off tie on Thursday night.

The winners over the two legs will progress through to the league stage of the competition, while the losers will have the consolation of dropping in to the same stage of the Conference League.

"I actually found out that Aberdeen has never played in the Europa League, which is very surprising for me to be honest, for us it is an unbelievable opportunity to create history," Mitov said.

"To be the first set of players to qualify for the Europa League is something we all want to do and tomorrow is the perfect opportunity for us. We need to go out there and just be ourselves.

"People say don't play the occasion, play the game, so this is going to be really important for us tomorrow."

The 28-year-old Bulgaria international has impressed for Aberdeen since arriving at the club from St Johnstone last summer.

The tie with FCSB will be his first taste of club European action.

"That is the reason why I came here - the opportunity to play in Europe," he said. "I have never played in Europe before but now I am really looking forward to it.

"I don't really look at it where you could be in the next two, three, four, five years, I look at it right now and concentrate on my own performances now.

"When you do things like that slowly you start to become better, you start to understand the game more and when you play high quality games like European games, this is where you become better.

"For me and for the whole squad, it is really exciting times ahead."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before the first leg of his side's Europa League play-off against Romanian champions FCSB at Pittodrie on Thursday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Shayden Morris is a doubt with a knock to his leg. Thelin says he has to think of both legs rather than just the first one, so won't risk the English winger.

• New signing Kenan Bilalovic could come into the equation if Morris doesn't make it, with the manager not ruling out altering his matchday squad before tonight's deadline

• Mats Knoester returns from injury and is available, while new recruit Marko Lazetic needs a few weeks to be fully ready to compete.

• On the challenge FCSB pose, Thelin says Aberdeen are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, but stresses they must "focus" on their own performance.

• Thelin was asked if having the safety net of guaranteed Conference League football takes some of the pressure off going into these two games, but he dismissed that notion, saying they are only targeting the Europa League.

• Thelin believes his team "is growing" and is looking forward to experiencing a European atmosphere at Pittodrie.