Aberdeen drop to Conference League after defeat to FCSB

Aberdeen have dropped into the Conference League after losing their Europa League play-off to FCSB.

The tie was balanced at 2-2 after the first leg in Pittodrie but a 3-0 defeat in Bucharest ended the hopes of Jimmy Thelin’s side and they will now have to settle for the consolation of a place in UEFA’s third-tier competition.

The match turned on a controversial first-half decision, when FCSB were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, with Richard Jensen sent off over what was a questionable hand ball call.

Darius Olara converted the 45th minute penalty and the Romanian side then pressed home their numerical advantage.

Adrian Sut added a second for the hosts with a powerful strike from distance that Dimitar Mitov couldn’t stop.

Olara wrapped up the tie with a drive from the edge of the area that took a small deflection before finding the back of the net.

Reflecting on the defeat, Dons boss Thelin said: “I think the difference between us in the two games was that when we made a mistake they punished us really hard but we couldn’t really punish them in those moments.

“So now we have to keep going, and we have to focus on our game on Sunday.

“It’s a play-off game against a good opponent and how they use their opportunities and the calmness and quality when they scored. We couldn’t really use our opportunities.

“That’s what we have to focus on in the Conference League, using our moments and doing better.

“The only way to get better is to be here and find this calmness as a team.

“I was happy how the game started. Before the penalty I actually saw a more mature team. We were more balanced and had control. We were much better and playing a good away game.

“But after the penalty, the game accelerated in one direction.”

Aberdeen will now look to Friday’s Conference League draw to learn who they will play in their six League Phase fixtures.