Aberdeen produced a stirring fightback for a draw against FCSB just as it seemed that Scottish football’s week was going to go from bad to bleak.
With Celtic and Rangers both having struggled in their respective Champions League play-offs, it was the Dons and Hibs’ turn – with the Easter Road club losing 2-1 to Legia Warsaw in their Conference League play-off.
The Pittodrie club were two goals down at the start of the second half in their Europa League clash but a raft of substitutions from Jimmy Thelin turned the tie against the Romanians on its head.
It had looked to be slipping away from the Scottish Cup winners when the Romanian champions went ahead in the 32nd minute and then overcame the dismissal of Juri Cisotti soon afterwards to double their lead in the first minute of the second half.
However, goals from substitutes Dante Polvara and Ester Sokler in the closing half-hour brought the Dons level and ensured there is all to play for in the second leg in Bucharest next Thursday.
It was Thelin’s first European match in charge of the Dons and now he wants more in Romania after praising a packed Pittodrie.
Jimmy Thelin applauds the Pittodrie crowd after they inspired his side’s fightback
Pittodrie played host to a fascinating tie as Aberdeen fought back from two goals down
Ester Sokler grabbed a late equaliser with the Dons now having a chance in the return leg
He said: ‘It’s going to be a totally different game, they’re at home, but I am optimistic. The tie is alive.
‘We have given ourselves a chance and that’s the most important thing after being two goals down. Our fans were the difference – they have given us a chance for the second game.
‘I was really proud of that, how we created this atmosphere because it’s difficult when you are two down and the way they’d scored the goals.
‘In that way I am really proud of the players and the supporters. It has given us a chance.
‘They used the situations with top quality, they didn’t miss, but we can’t give them these chances in the game.
‘We learned a lot about ourselves, we have one week to prepare and bring a much better, more stable performance. We created a lot of chances, but we have to be more consistent within the game.
‘Dante’s goal was top level and Ester’s with his working capacity plus the goal was important for us.
‘I was pleased with the passion they showed because it was a difficult task, especially when you give a goal after 50 seconds in the second half.
‘We never stopped believing and that is a really strong thing to have. But we shouldn’t have made it so difficult for ourselves.’
And goal hero Sokler, who netted in the final minute, said: ‘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.’
FCSB boss Elias Charalambous was unhappy that three of his players – Siyabonga Ngezana, Baba Alhassan and Risto Radunovic – were not given visas in time for the game.
He said: ‘I don’t know exactly what happened but things have to be solved easier.
‘We cannot ask for visas five or six days before and have no results because players are not available.
‘People have to find solutions, not us, the people who are responsible – UEFA.
‘The players came here to play. Everything happens for a reason. The players made this travel and if we knew they would not play they would have stayed to train.
‘The game in Bucharest is 50-50 as Aberdeen have quality.’
