European football returns to Pittodrie on Thursday evening as Aberdeen take on Romanian champions FCSB in the Europa League.

Thanks to our Scottish Cup heroics, the Dons enter the play-off stage with a place in the league phase of the Europa League up for grabs.

Opposition lowdown

Thursday night’s opponents qualified for the play-off round after a 6-3 aggregate win over FC Drita from Kosovo. FCSB had been in the Champions League qualifying section after winning the Romanian league last year, but dropped out of Europe’s top competition at the second qualifying round following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Macedonian side KF Shkendija.

The Romanian champions have endured mix fortunes in their league campaign so far, they surrendered a two goal lead at the weekend to city rivals Rapid Bucharest who scored twice in the closing stages of the match to draw 2-2. Out of their six games in the league so far, they have won once, drawn twice and lost three times and sit 13th in the league.

After Pittodrie, they take on Argeș Pitești at home on Sunday before the return leg next Thursday.

View from the dressing room

“It’s going to be a dream come true to play in a European play-off at Pittodrie. It’s what we dream about and with the atmosphere, I will really enjoy it!” – Sivert Helnte Nilsen speaking after our game with Morton. 

Who to look out for

Romanian international Florin Tanase tops the domestic goalscoring charts for FCSB with four goals so far this season, including a hat-trick away to Dinamo București, with former Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong also netting a hat-rick in that match for the home side.

Former St Mirren, Hearts and Hamilton Accies defender Mihai Popescu is entering his second season with the Romanian side, while veteran Vlad Chiriches could face the Dons at Pittodrie. The midfielder is in his second spell with FCSB and counts Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli among his former clubs.

Get behind the Dons at Pittodrie

As we get set to return to the European stage, a limited number of tickets remain available. Make sure to grab your seat at Pittodrie on Thursday evening now.

Thursday night at Pittodrie

Ahead of kick-off on Thursday, we are encouraging all supporters to be in their seats as early as possible to help build the atmosphere and to be part of a full stadium Tifo display to welcome the players onto the pitch. Also, at half-time, after winning the U13 & U14 CAS Cups at the end of last season, players from both squads will parade the trophies around Pittodrie at half-time on Thursday evening.

The Dons and Romania

This will be the first time that Aberdeen and FCSB have met but the Dons do have history against Romanian opposition. In season 1981/82, we took on Arges Pitesti in the UEFA Cup, overcoming the Romanian side 5-2 on aggregate after a 3-0 victory at Pittodrie and a 2-2 draw in Pitesti.

We have a played a couple of friendly matches against Romanian opposition. In the summer of 1983, fresh from winning the European Cup Winners Cup, Alex Ferguson’ s Dons side lost 2-0 to Dinamo Bucharest in the Kirin Tournament, as part of a summer tour of Germany. Ahead of the 2002/03 season, the Dons lost out 2-1 to Rapid Bucharest in a pre-season friendly at Pittodrie.

How Can I Follow the Action?

There is live video coverage for all RedTV subscribers (including GB & Ireland) with Paul Mitchell and Niall McGinn.

We’ll have reaction, a full match replay and highlights available post-match.

To find out more about RedTV & to subscribe now please click here.

The game will also be live on the BBC Scotland channel.

You can also follow the matchday build up and game action through the AFC social media channels and website.