Introduction
Tonight's Europa League second leg play-off tie between FCSB (Romania) and Aberdeen (Scotland) gets underway at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. With the tie finely balanced after a thrilling 2–2 first-leg draw in Scotland, both teams stand to gain. The winner earns a place in the prized Europa League group stage, with the loser demoted to the Europa Conference League.
Follow the live updates and statistics on SofaScore and FotMob.
First Leg Recap: Aberdeen’s Late Comeback Shocks FCSB
The first leg at Pittodrie Stadium was full of drama.
- FCSB took control early on, with Daniel Bîrligea scoring in the 32nd minute and Darius Olaru doubling the lead just after halftime.
- Despite going down to 10 men following Juri Cisotti’s red card, FCSB looked in control.
- But Aberdeen produced an incredible comeback. Dante Polvara broke the deadlock in the 61st minute before Ester Sokler fired in a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer to seal a 2–2 draw.
Read the entire match report on ESPN and The Scottish Sun.
What's at Stake Tonight?
- FCSB: With the encouragement of their passionate home support in Bucharest, they will aim to control from the start and correct the defensive mistakes that had them losing the first leg.
- Aberdeen: The Scottish team knows that a win or a score draw of 3–3 or better guarantees qualification. They'll look to build on their gritty performance showcased in the comeback at Pittodrie.
Learn more about the Europa League format today on UEFA.com.
Key Players to Watch
- FCSB: Darius Olaru (creative midfield), Daniel Bîrligea (finisher), Andrei Vlad (goalkeeper solidity).
- Aberdeen: Ester Sokler (action forward), Dante Polvara (midfield driver), Kelle Roos (goalkeeper experience).
Team News & Tactical Outlook
- Percentage play: FCSB will tend to use a high-pressing attack, using their home territory to unsettle Aberdeen in the opening. Discipline will be crucial after their expensively earned red card in the first leg, though.
- Aberdeen will tend to play deep, absorb pressure, and counterattack. The solidity of the Scottish side will be the key in a pressure-conducive environment.
Read Aberdeen's preparation and manager's thoughts on the official AFC website.
Percentage play and betting odds
Football commentators are expecting a tight and thrilling game:
- SportsKeeda is predicting a 2–1 win for FCSB, with both teams scoring (SportsKeeda Preview).
- Forebet is predicting a draw (47% likelihood), which could advance Aberdeen (Forebet Analysis).
- Bookmakers slightly prefer FCSB at 1.76 odds, but Aberdeen can be backed at around 4.50 (SportsGambler Tips).
Final Thoughts
This match is turning out to be one of the most exciting of the Europa League play-off round.
- FCSB will rely on home support, attacking flair, and experience.
- Aberdeen will rely on grit, tactical discipline, and momentum from their first-leg comeback.
⚽ Prediction: FCSB 2–1 Aberdeen (but another late twist of fate is never out of European football).
Stay up to date with live scores and coverage on UEFA's official site and BBC Sport.