Aberdeen Shows Glimmers of Improvement in Defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk

Aberdeen’s 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa Conference League may not have yielded the desired result, but it offered Dons fans a long-awaited glimpse of progress under manager Jimmy Thelin. After a winless start to the Scottish Premiership—including a 2-0 loss to Motherwell—the team’s performance against the Ukrainians hinted at a shift in momentum, with new signings Stuart Armstrong, Marko Lazetic, and Jesper Karlsson making strong impacts.

Lazetic, the former AC Milan forward, and loanee Bologna winger Karlsson were particularly promising. Lazetic’s ability to hold the ball and create chances added depth to Aberdeen’s attack, while Karlsson’s early penalty and relentless work rate highlighted his adaptability. Armstrong, meanwhile, excelled in linking play and pressing off the ball, disrupting Shakhtar’s advances.

The turning point came when Nicky Devlin scored a late header to make it 3-2, igniting the Pittodrie crowd and pushing the team to a spirited finish. Thelin praised the fans’ role in driving his side forward, saying: The positive thing was we were connecting with the fans, showing desire, passion, and personality. The manager emphasized the need to build on this performance ahead of Sunday’s league match against Dundee.

Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller also noted the improvement, particularly after Aberdeen trailed 3-1. They opened up, and the whole game turned on its head. Lazetic’s strike was special, and the fans staying back to applaud showed things are starting to turn around, he said. Thelin’s tactical shift to a hybrid 3-5-2 formation also pleased Miller, suggesting pragmatism may finally be paying off for the Dons.

With the league campaign still in its early stages, Thursday’s display offers hope for a turnaround. But Thelin will know that consistency—not just fleeting moments of brilliance—will define Aberdeen’s season.