Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin on why Euro action will make team and new signings better.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has signed nine new players during the summer transfer window in an effort to build a squad capable of handling the demands of European league matches as well as domestic commitments.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin believes European league action will accelerate the development of his new-look squad and summer signings.

During the summer transfer window, Thelin signed nine new players in an effort to build a squad capable of balancing Euroleague action with domestic commitments.

The Pittodrie manager has not ruled out further signings before the transfer window closes at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 1.

Aberdeen are guaranteed to play in the Euro League this season.

As the Reds prepare to face FCSB in Bucharest, it remains to be seen whether they will compete in the Europa League or the Conference League.

Thelin’s side rallied from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with the Romanians in the Europa League play-off first leg at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen will play eight league games until mid-January if they defeat Romanian champions FCSB and advance to the Europa League.

Thelin on building a team for Europe

Should they lose in Bucharest, the Dons have the option of dropping into the Conference League, which offers six league games until late December.

Thelin believes that being tested on a regular basis in the Euroleague will help his rebuilt team develop faster.

He stated, “In football, you always have a new team each season. “You still have some core players, but new players arrive and leave.

“The process is to keep improving and moving forward. “You introduce competition to ensure this, and by playing in Europe, the players will become accustomed to the responsibility and focus required at that level.

“Europe will help us achieve our goal of being a good collective team and protecting one another on the pitch.

“As a football manager, player, or club, you always want to compete against the best teams while also believing in yourself.”

“In Europe, you must find ways to use your squad and team to win games and become the best version of yourself.

“I am confident that the European league will help the players grow because they will be forced to play extremely difficult games all of the time.” “And that is the way you are going to get better.”

To ensure the Dons’ readiness for the return leg in Bucharest, Thelin chose to postpone the weekend’s Premiership trip to Dundee United.

A free weekend to prepare for FCSB

The Dons triggered a new SPFL rule that allows clubs competing in European play-offs to postpone the league fixture sandwiched between the two legs.

Thelin stated, “Not having the game on the weekend was really good because it gave us time to get that final punch ready for the game in Romania. To work on it collectively.

“The two goals gave us a chance, but we need to improve now. “It will be a different type of game in Bucharest, but we now have some power and the ability to score.

“We are on the right track where we are creating and scoring goals.” The Europa League play-off against FCSB marks Thelin’s first foray into European competition since joining Aberdeen from Swedish club Elfsborg last summer.

Thelin’s previous play-off experience

However, the Dons’ manager has previous experience with a high-stakes Euro play-off match. In 2021, Elfsborg faced Dutch club Feyenoord, which was managed by current Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

Elfsborg’s start against Feyenoord was similar to Aberdeen’s two-goal deficit against FCSB.

Elfsborg were defeated 5-0 in the first leg in the Netherlands, but they refused to give up in the second leg, winning 3-1 to finish 6-3 on aggregate.

This time, Thelin hopes to complete a comeback in the play-offs to advance to the Europa League with the Dons. He said, “It was a little tricky because Elfsborg started poorly and then had a player sent off.

“We needed to score, so we worked hard and did not give up. “They came with their strongest team at home, and we got off to a great start.

“When we were 2-0 up, a header off the post would have made it 3-0. “Then, in transition, they scored to make it 2-1, and the game was over.”

“It was Elfsborg’s first trip to Europe in a long time, and the players benefited greatly from it.

“Against Feyenoord, it demonstrated the importance of team defence, as well as taking advantage of opportunities.

“There are no margins in cup games. “The good thing about football is that you always have a chance in the playoffs, but you have to do everything perfectly.

“That’s the learning part – otherwise you are out.” Feyenoord advanced to the Conference League final that season, losing 1-0 to Roma.

Financial gulf in European football

According to Thelin, the Dutch club had a budget that was roughly ten times that of Elfsborg when they clashed.

He believes FCSB and Aberdeen have a more balanced economic status.

On finances, he stated, “I can’t remember, but Feyenoord was about ten times Elfsborg. “Now it is not ten times between the two clubs (Aberdeen and FCSB).

“Aberdeen are a big club and are strong believers and have good experience in the past now – that is what we focus on.”

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