Aberdeen open their European campaign at Pittodrie against Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow night.

Both sides will be making their Europa Conference League phase debuts on Thursday, but for the visitors, this will be their first time featuring in this competition.

The Ukrainian side are well-known to the Champions League, being involved in the top competition five times since 2020 despite dropping to the Europa League on multiple occasions.

Aberdeen have endured a difficult league start, sitting at rock bottom of the league, and scoring zero goals in the process. The Dons did reach the Scottish League Cup last 16, but unfortunately, Motherwell booked the spot at Hampden. Aberdeen grabbed guaranteed European football by defeating Celtic in the Scottish Cup despite finishing the league season in fifth.

Aberdeen have had some big results in the past in Europe, including the most noticeable 2-0 victory over German giants, Eintracht Frankfurt. Aberdeen was unlucky not to make the Europa League this season, crashing out to Romanian side, FCSB. The Pittodrie side also holds their immaculate two European trophies in 1983.

Last time out

Aberdeen was on the wrong end once against losing 2-0 courtesy of two late goals by the Steelmen, continuing the losing drought and not finding the back of the net.

A look into the visitors

A disappointing campaign for the regular Ukrainian champions, sitting 7 points behind champions, Dynamo Kyiv. Shakhtar have had a challenging time of late due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine where the currently play in Germany at the home of Schalke.

Shakhtar earlier this season sold top star, Kevin for an outstanding for a fee in the region of £35million. Thursday’s visitors have plenty of quality within their side with players such as Newerton, Pedrinho and Mykola Matviyenko being some to watch. Marian Shved the former Celtic man will be looking to make an impact at Pittodrie.

Shakhtar are currently unbeaten in 22 matches, their last defeat being in April losing to FC Kolos Kovalivka. The Ukrainian side were knocked out the Europa League by Greek outfit, Panathinaikos following a goalless aggregate scoreline, losing out on penalties. The Ukrainian side edged past Servette to make the league phase.

Shakhtar won the Ukrainian cup last season defeating Dynamo Kyiv thanks to a goal by Elias taking the match to penalties, winning 6-5 in the shootout.

Shakhtar Donetsk have got off to an outstanding start, topping their league with five wins and two draws in the process. The side from Donetsk have scored 14 times in their opening 7 games which may draw fear into the Aberdeen side. Also, only four goals conceded which isn’t something the Pittodrie fanbase wants to hear.

Shakhtar last time out

Shakhtar defeated league leaders Rukh Lviv 4-0 away from home. Meirrelles and Isaque scored alongside a Pedrinho brace.

Team news

The duo of Dante Polvara and Stuart Armstrong were both missing from the defeat at Motherwell, with both players in contention to return to action. Other than that, the Dons are not suspected of having any other concerns.

The visitors will be without £14million star signing, Alisson Santana, due to a broken leg. Lassina Traore and Equinaldo could also miss out through injury.

The talk ahead of Thursday

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Pedrinho, “This victory (4-0 win during the weekend) is very important and has a positive impact on the team.

“I think we are constantly progressing, even in previous we created many chances.

“This time we managed to realise our chances.

“It was an impressive victory.

“I am really happy with the goals and especially for the team’s victory.

“We knew that the game would be difficult, so we had to show our football.

Jimmy Thelin after Motherwell defeat, “We want to be more compact and have more players central in the pitch so that we can create more chances.

“I think the way we set up the team (vs Motherwell) shows some positive things that we can use in the future also”

He added: “We have to focus on the positive things and do everything we can to push for the next game (Shahktar Donetsk).

“It’s not easy to talk about the positives right now because we have one point on the table and have scored zero goals.