Manager Jimmy Thelin emphasizes learning from mistakes ahead of derby clash.
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Aberdeen Football Club is facing a critical moment in their season following a disheartening 5-1 loss to Celtic. The Dons, under the management of Jimmy Thelin, were left to reflect on missed opportunities and defensive lapses that led to their downfall.
As they prepare for a crucial derby match against Dundee United, Thelin is determined to ensure his team learns from this setback.
Learning from the Celtic defeat
Thelin expressed his disappointment but also his belief in the team’s potential to improve.
“We have to learn and improve for an important game against Dundee United,” he stated. The manager emphasized that the defeat would not affect the players’ confidence, asserting that they remain focused on their goals for the season. “We are clear that we want to achieve, and we will focus on that,” he added.
Despite the heavy scoreline, Thelin noted that there were positive aspects to their performance, particularly in the first half. The Dons created several chances but failed to capitalize, with Oday Dabbagh and Kevin Nisbet notably missing opportunities to test Celtic’s goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. “We created chances, but they were beating us in the small percentages in the duels,” Thelin remarked, highlighting the need for greater clinical finishing in future matches.
Preparing for the derby against Dundee United
Looking ahead to the derby clash at Pittodrie, Thelin is optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back. “I am 100 percent sure we will be strong,” he declared. The Dons are determined to challenge for a top-three finish in the league and secure European football for next season. The upcoming match against Dundee United is seen as a pivotal moment for the team to demonstrate their resilience and commitment.
Thelin’s focus on learning from the Celtic match is crucial as they prepare for the derby. “We’ll take the learning points from this game and be ready,” he stated, indicating a proactive approach to addressing the team’s weaknesses. The Dons must improve their ball control and defensive organization to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
Celtic’s impressive performance
On the other side of the pitch, Celtic’s manager Brendan Rodgers expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly after their recent defeat to Hibernian. “The result and scoreline was very impressive,” he noted, praising the clinical finishing of his players. Celtic’s ability to capitalize on Aberdeen’s mistakes was evident, as they scored five goals from relatively few chances.
Rodgers highlighted the importance of resilience within his squad, stating, “One of the traits in this team is the resilience, and any moment this season when we’ve had a bump, the mentality is to come again.” This mentality will be crucial as both teams head into their next matches, with Aberdeen looking to recover and Celtic aiming to maintain their momentum.
