Aberdeen narrowly lose 3-2 to Shakhtar Donetsk in Conference League opener

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin remains optimistic about his team's prospects despite a challenging start to the Scottish Premiership season, with no wins and only one point so far. Thelin praised his players for their passion and fighting spirit in a 3-2 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League, highlighting the importance of learning from defensive mistakes and maintaining strong fan connection. He emphasized the need for belief in the team and himself to turn the team's form around and sees the upcoming European matches as opportunities to build confidence and show progress. Thelin acknowledged the quality and experience of Shakhtar but urged his players to keep pushing, believing that a good performance is possible if they execute their game plan well. Despite underwhelming domestic results, Thelin stresses the importance of togetherness and mental resilience during difficult times, viewing the European campaign as a chance for improvement and revival. Overall, Thelin is focused on fostering a strong mentality to deliver better results and satisfy the club’s supporters.