On arrival in Bucharest for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League play-off, Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin was quick to point out that the second leg against FCSB is very much a cup final.

“Both teams know what’s on the line, both teams have to win, so I think it’s going to be a different kind of game tomorrow from the one at Pittodrie. After the first game was a draw, it’s like a cup final now and you have to have conviction that you can do it. I don’t want to talk so much about them, but of course they have good players. But my focus right now is on ours.

“This play-off game is always unique, it’s a different kind of tension around this game. It’s like we played the cup final last season and now we have a play-off that’s similar, so it’s a different kind of game and different kind of emotion to league games. It’s still football, 11 vs 11 and two good teams who are going to try to show their best. We are hungry for the game tomorrow.

“We have to go in with a good spirit but also we respect the opponent. They have good strengths in FCSB and they have a good manager, but we have to believe in ourselves when we play these games. 

“I think for FCSB, the last game was away from home, and teams can play a little bit different to how they do in their own stadium. That unpredictability is why football is such an exciting game. You have the structure parts of the game with the teams and the ideas, it is a team sport but also individuals can shine in some moments. Let’s see tomorrow. We are really prepared and ready for this game and we look forward to it.

“They have some good strengths in that game that they showed us. We have learned from that game and we hope we can do better against that tomorrow. But there are also some weak points that we hope we can attack tomorrow. I also feel we are ready for this game because it’s a really exciting one for both teams. We feel really prepared and we have some good learning points from the last game.”

Thelin is also keen that his players use the pressure of a one-off, winner takes all game as a source of motivation.

“I think always that pressure is good. You always have to push yourself to do your best and live up to expectations. The most important thing is our team spirit. And if you have a strong team spirit, a good connection with your supporters, you always get something.”

Naturally, the Aberdeen boss did not comment on his starting XI for tomorrow, but he made it clear that once again, it will likely be a game about 16 players not 11. 

“Starting a game or coming on in a game is two different things. My job is that I always have to make the decisions on who starts and when players come on that I think are right to win the game. Fans have always the right to say who they want to play, that’s why the sport is so fantastic, so many people can have their opinions and beliefs and favourites. But our job together with our players is to prepare us for the game and to make the best choices from the information we have. 

“I think our players have a really strong fitness level. It was one week ago the last time we played, so we can’t wait to get out there again now. You always want to be in the best possible competition and for us now it’s to try to get to the group stage. 

“We have done well last season to win the cup. We got this opportunity to be in this play-off and the first game was a draw. So now it’s everything on the game tomorrow. The winner takes it all. So no regrets after the game. Give everything you have.”