Jimmy Thelin proud of Aberdeen’s Conference League run despite exit

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is happy with the way his side have grown through their UEFA Conference League campaign despite defeat against Strasbourg ending their interest in the tournament.

The Dons saw Mats Knoester have a goal disallowed for handball, before being hit by a sucker-punch strike from Martial Godo 10 minutes before half time.

The French side improved after the break, with Dons keeper Dimitar Mitov making three superb saves, including from Ismael Doukore’s penalty.

Thelin said: “If you look at how the team has grown from the first game in Europe to this one, we are showing a different team right now, much more stable.

“How we started the game today was really good, the pressing and interceptions, and we created some really good chances from that. The set-plays were strong, and the team has grown a lot.

“Strasbourg are a good team with good quality, but I’m proud of how my team have grown through the season.”

Of the disallowed goal, Thelin added: “It seems like he headed it onto his own hand and that’s why the goal was disallowed, but it’s small margins. We had some other good chances. That’s the level we want to achieve.”

Visiting boss Liam Rosenior was happy with his side’s display in a hostile atmosphere.

Rosenior said: “I always knew it was going to be very difficult coming here. Aberdeen have been on a very good run and had everything to play for. They threw everything at us to win the game.

“In the first 15 minutes their intensity and belief, the balls in our box and the corners coming in were a brilliant test for my players.

“I felt the goal should have been disallowed not even for the handball, but on two occasions, I spoke to the fourth official because there were blocks on our goalkeeper – Mike Penders couldn’t move.

“Once we saw that period through, we dominated and created chances with our possession, I was really happy with the performance of the players against a good team in a difficult atmosphere.”