Lumberjacks, hammer-throwers, caber-tossers. Every name under the sun was used to describe Aberdeen’s footballing philosophy on Croatian message-boards. Okay, perhaps that is an exaggeration but the consensus was clear: Supporters of HNK Rijeka considered Aberdeen long ball merchants, unimaginative purveyors of a style of football that was both backward and inferior in every way to our Europa League Second Qualifying Round opponents.
Rijeka’s exuberant confidence was not unfounded. The coastal side had an unbeaten record in their previous twelve European home matches, a run that included meetings with Stuttgart, Real Betis, Standard Liege, Lyon, Feyenoord and Sevilla. With pride often comes a fall, however, and it was clear that Rijeka had misperceived the threat that the away side might pose. What followed was a tactical masterclass from Derek McInnes and an Aberdeen eleven with a point to prove.
The scene was set, a beautiful landscape and scorching temperatures. Aberdeen lined up in unfamiliar fashion with five across the back, a central three of Ash Taylor, Paul Quinn and Andy Considine were supported on either side by wingbacks in the form of Shay Logan and Jonny Hayes. The initial signs were worrying as Aberdeen took their time in adjusting to a new shape, allowing Marin Tomasov to ghost in behind on two separate occasions. The pacy winger’s first effort dragged wide and the second cannoning off the post.
We had opportunities of our own, failing to take advantage of a three-on-two breakaway and a Taylor long throw causing all sorts of problems, but a water break midway through the first half allowed for a vital regrouping. Once play resumed, Aberdeen stunned the home side with a performance of complete discipline.
David Goodwillie’s inclusion in the side ahead of Adam Rooney had surprised the media but his hold up play bought the away side territory time and time again. Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Jack marshalled the midfield with confidence and composure, while Hayes and Logan stretched and terrorised Rijeka on the break.
Aberdeen broke the deadlock seven minutes before the half when Considine rose highest to meet a Niall McGinn corner. Rijeka goalkeeper Ivan Vargic was caught in no man’s land, meaning all Considine had to do was direct the ball on target to secure a vital away goal. Dreamland for the Dons.
Minutes later, it seemed as though Aberdeen had a second when Peter Pawlett met Hayes’ teasing cross with a diving header but sickeningly for the travelling support, the goal was correctly adjudged to have been offside. Pawlett would have his just rewards for an excellent showing seven minutes after the restart, however, when Logan delivered an exquisite ball from deep and the midfielder stooped low to direct the ball beyond Vargic for a second. The scenes in the away end were remarkable as a sea of red and white bounced up and down in utter disbelief.
The fairytale was not complete however. Aberdeen continued to press Rijeka in their own half, forcing error upon error. A failed defensive clearance was nodded into the path of David Goodwillie inside the penalty area. The striker displayed excellent composure to kill the ball with his first touch before lofting a perfectly weighted pass into the direction of substitute Kenny McLean. McLean rifled home with aplomb and there it was, a 3-0 lead to take home to the North-East.
Hailed as one of the finest European performances in years by a Scottish team, Aberdeen had upstaged Rijeka with a style of football focused on defensive discipline, a high tempo and purposeful counter-attacking. The lumberjacks went on to secure progress to the next round with a spirited performance in a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie the following week.
HNK Rijeka: Vargic, Tomecak, Samardzic, Leskovic, Leovac, Radosevic (Bezjak 52′), Bradaric (Mocinic 71′), Lima Magalhaes, Sharbini, Tomasov (Kvrzic 46′), Balaj
Aberdeen: Ward, Logan, Considine, Taylor, Shinnie, Quinn, Pawlett (Flood 60′), Jack, Goodwillie (Rooney 79′), Hayes, McGinn (McLean 67′)
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