🎧'You have to give the manager credit'
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BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Polvara stars for Aberdeen - but will he play more?
At the start of the week, rumours were swirling that Aberdeen midfielder Dante Polvara was a transfer target for Hibernian. Fans on social media were late Thursday, the American was the hero against 10-man FCSB in the Europa League, coming off the bench to spark a comeback from 2-0 down, as Aberdeen drew 2-2 in their play-off first midfielder is a fans' favourite at Pittodrie because of his warm personality, wholehearted displays and ability as a rounded Jimmy Thelin has used him sparingly so far this season, Polvara appearing for a combined 45 minutes as a substitute in Aberdeen's three games before American was introduced on 58 minutes against FCSB and played off the left, scoring a brilliant goal just three minutes later to revive Aberdeen's 25-year-old's performance helped cancel out the defensive mistakes which had undermined the Scottish Premiership side's display for an was a striking cameo which lays down the gauntlet to Thelin to pick him from the start in Bucharest next week. Polvara's 'huge' impact Scoring three minutes after coming on is the dream impact for any substitute, which is what the rangy Polvara it was not just the fact he scored but the quality of the goal ithself which was so impressive. A cross was guided behind him by Adil Aouchiche, and he reacted brilliantly to get to the ball awareness and agility to swivel and hit it first time off his left foot was even better, with the ball kissing the inside of the post on its way Polvara did not stop there. Four minutes later, his pinpoint cross teed up Ester Sokler, whose header went narrowly the death his sheer presence caused havoc in the box and, but for a good save, he might have won it for the American managed two shots, both on target, and created three chances, the joint most of any to Opta, he completed all 19 of his passes and won six of his eight duels, the joint most among Aberdeen players. He was everywhere."Polvara down that left-hand side was such an out ball," Aberdeen legend Willie Miller said on BBC Scotland. "He's a big strong unit. And the goal - he shouldn't be scoring from that position. Facing away from goal and he's able to manoeuvre himself to strike it. "That fired the crowd up and gave them the hope and optimism they could get something out of it."He made a huge difference. The aerial threat, the energy, the quality. He must be in the manager's thoughts to start next week." Will Polvara start the second leg? That is the key question. Polvara's time at Aberdeen has been constantly was sent on loan to Charleston in his homeland a year after signing in 2022, and only on his return did then manager Barry Robson give him a repaid the faith in the 2023-24 season, scoring against both Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK in the Conference League as he started to become more of a pivotal figure.A hamstring tear last summer completely derailed his season as Thelin took charge, but even then he returned to make enough of an impact to help the team win the Scottish has been deployed as a centre-back, central midfielder, and a winger in his time at Pittodrie - versatility which managers love but which often makes it difficult to nail down a particular Thelin using a 4-2-3-1 system and preferring Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Ante Palaversa in the deeper roles and Aouchiche as the number 10 - along with traditional quick wingers out wide - Polvara starting would mean a change of tack from the Aberdeen was his impact on Thursday, though, Thelin may just be considering it, particularly as he showed he appears to be over his fitness those Hibs rumours surfaced, there were reports, external Polvara is set to be offered a new contract by Aberdeen, with his current deal up at the end of the more games would encourage the much-loved American to sign, as will more nights like Thursday at Pittodrie.
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield manager David Healy lays into officials after ‘chaotic' Play-Off first leg defeat at Shelbourne
The Blues face an uphill fight after this compelling thriller in north Dublin. The League of Ireland champions edged out the Irish Premiership holders 2-1 over two legs in a Champions League qualifier last month and they are favourites to make the League phase after this result. Healy, however, felt decisions went against his side, particularly Matthew Fitzpatrick's red card, and now his side need to hit back next week. 'That was chaotic,' said the Blues boss. 'A lot of that was down to the officials, though I am not blaming them. 'I thought one or two moments were created by the officials. I spoke to the fourth official, when he could be bothered listening, as Matthew Fitzpatrick doesn't see the player and it was not intentional. 'He catches him but didn't mean to hurt him. He tried to receive the ball and there was a collision. Against 10 men in European competition so early on it was a big ask. 'I wouldn't say the officials were out of their depth, I know Greek football is a high level, but I felt decisions could have been given more consideration.' Linfield had an early let off when Mipo Odubeko headed wide from Kerr McInroy's cross but the visitors were rocked by Fitzpatrick's first half dismissal after a high challenge on Milan Mbeng. Healy's side responded with a Kieran Offord's drive over the top but they were on the ropes. The first half was explosive, with Odubeko missing a penalty after a Kyle McClean handball and then Harry Wood converted from the spot after Ben Hall's late challenge on the striker. After the restart Odubeko doubled Shelbourne's lead, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb. Kieran Offord struck on 52 minutes to give Linfield hope. It was a sixth goal of the season for the former Crusaders striker in all competitions but he then saw his spot kick saved by Wessel Speel. On 77 minutes, Harry Wood's strike deflected off the post and Evan Caffrey stroked in the third. 'The penalty for Kyle's handball was baffling,' added Healy. 'I watch so many football games and I am mystified and baffled by handball decisions. Something needs to be change about that. Kyle is sliding in to block a challenge. I thought it was a poor decision. "I felt Paddy Barrett stopped a goal on the line, was that a red card? He stopped an intentional goal so the level of consistency wasn't there from the officials. He booked him because Chris Shields was asking the question. He has put his hand up to stop Sam Roscoe scoring an equaliser.' Healy said he was proud of his side's efforts but was now hoping for better luck next week. 'We need more luck,' he added. 'Shelbourne dominate the ball here but the players dug in. 'They have been to a tough place and showed they can dig in. With us missing a penalty, had we made it 2-2 it potentially could have changed things.'
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Jimmy Thelin hails Aberdeen's 12th player after Europa League comeback as FCSB boss makes 50-50 claim
Dons' fightback ensures tie still alive for trip to Bucharest Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Jimmy Thelin was proud of Aberdeen's players and supporters after they fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at home to 10-man FCSB in their Europa League play-off. The tie looked to be slipping away from the Scottish Cup winners when the Romanian champions struck through Daniel Birligea and Darius Olaru either side of a 38th minute red card for Juri Cisotti. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Roared on by a packed Pittodrie crowd, however, the Dons pulled one back in the 61st minute through Dante Polvara before fellow substitute Ester Sokler headed an 89th-minute equaliser to ensure there is all to play for in the second leg in Bucharest next Thursday. Aberdeen's Ester Sokler celebrates as he scores to make it 2-2 against FCSB at Pittodrie Stadium in the Europa League play-off first leg. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'I think the 12th player, our fans, today was the difference that gave us a chance now for the away game to go through to the Europa League,' said manager Thelin. 'I'm really proud of that, how we created this atmosphere, because it's so difficult to get this mentality and to score goals when you're two down. 'I'm really proud of the players and our supporters because it's a difficult task when you start the second half and give that (second) goal away within 50 seconds, but we still have this capacity to never stop believing. 'Of course, the goals we got against us were more about ourselves (mistakes) but they used the situations with top quality, they didn't miss. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We can't give them these chances. I think we learned a lot about ourselves and now we have one week to prepare to do a much better, more stable performance.' Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk shows a red card to FCSB's Juri Cisotti for his foul on Aberdeen's Nicolas Milanovic. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group FCSB boss Elias Charalambous was frustrated that three of his players were forced to watch from the stand after Montenegrin Risto Radunovic, Ghanaian Baba Alhassan and South African Siyabonga Ngezana were not granted visas by the Home Office. 'I don't know exactly what happened but the only thing that I can say is that things have to be solved easier,' he said. 'We cannot ask for visas five, six days before and then we have no visas. We brought three players here and they had to watch the game. 'This is something that we have to find solutions for, not us but the people that are responsible. The players came here to play. If we knew that they would not play, they would not have travelled. We cannot change the decision now and we have to take it.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
