Preview

October 2, Aberdeen, Pittodrie, 22:00
The live broadcast will be available on MEGOGO

History and path to the Conference League

Aberdeen FC was founded on April 14, 1903 in the city of the same name. Throughout its history, the club has won 4 Scottish league titles (1955, 1980, 1984, 1985), lifted 8 Scottish Cups and 6 Scottish League Cups. Aberdeen are also the only team in Scottish football history to have won two European trophies: the Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in 1983. During this most successful period, the Reds were managed by Alex Ferguson, who was in charge of Aberdeen from 1978 to 1986 before becoming a world football legend with Manchester United. In the 21st century, the Dons have not enjoyed much success, winning just 2 trophies over the last 25 years, one of which was the 2024/25 Scottish Cup, when Aberdeen beat Celtic in the final on penalties (5-4). Thanks to that triumph, Aberdeen earned a place in the Europa League qualifiers, but in their very first round they were eliminated by Romanian side FCSB on aggregate (2-2 and 0-3), which ultimately sent them into the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase.

2025/26 performances

Apart from European competitions, Aberdeen have already kicked off their domestic campaign. In the Scottish League Cup, the Reds were knocked out at the quarter-final stage, losing to Motherwell (0-1). Their Scottish Premiership run has also been disappointing: the team have 1 draw and 5 defeats after 6 rounds, sitting bottom of the table in 12th spot with just 1 point (goal difference: 0-9). The Dons suffered another defeat away to Motherwell (0-2) last weekend, conceding both goals in stoppage time.

Squad and leaders

Aberdeen are managed by 47-year-old Swedish coach Jimmy Thelin, who took charge in June 2024 after previously working in his homeland with Elfsborg. The Reds’ captain is experienced 34-year-old midfielder Graeme Shinnie, a club academy graduate with playing experience in the English Championship and for the Scotland national team. According to Transfermarkt, the most valuable player is left winger Jesper Karlsson, estimated at around EUR 4 million. The leader of Aberdeen’s attack is considered to be 28-year-old centre-forward Kevin Nisbet, who was the team’s top scorer last season (14 goals and 5 assists), but so far this season has featured in just 4 matches without finding the net.

Stadium

Aberdeen’s home ground is the Pittodrie Stadium, built in 1899 and last renovated in 1993. The arena is notable for being the site of the first modern dugout with a covered bench, constructed there in 1920. In 1978, Pittodrie became only the second all-seater stadium in the United Kingdom. At present, the ground has a capacity of 19,274, and over its history it has hosted Scotland’s national team matches on 15 occasions.

Head-to-head record

Shakhtar and Aberdeen will meet for the first time in a competitive match. At the same time, the Miners have previously played 6 European games against Scottish giants Celtic, recording 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats (goal difference: 8-5). Aberdeen, for their part, faced Ukrainian side Dnipro in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup, with both encounters ending in draws.

The Aberdeen vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel from Croatia. Referee – Duje Strukan, assistants – Alen Jakšić and Marjan Tomas. VAR – Fran Jović.