Match report

Aberdeen Stuns FCSB with Late Equalizer in Europa League Opener (2-2)

Aberdeen
Aberdeen
2–2
FT
FCSB
FCSB
Aug 21, 2025

Aberdeen held off an early onslaught by FC Steaua București (FCSB) and managed to secure a hard-fought draw in their UEFA Europa League opener. The visitors, FCSB, struck twice before the half-hour mark through D. Birligea and D. Olaru after J. Cisotti was sent off for a red card. Aberdeen rallied with goals from Dario Polvara and Emil Sokler to level the scoreline in a match characterized by high intensity and dramatic turns.

Key Facts

  • • FCSB took an early lead through D. Birligea at 32'
  • • J. Cisotti was sent off for FCSB with another yellow card given to Valentin Crețu at 39'
  • • D. Olaru doubled the lead for FCSB at 47'
  • • Aberdeen responded with a goal from Dario Polvara at 61'
  • • Emil Sokler secured Aberdeen's equalizer in injury time, 90'+2'

Lineups

Aberdeen

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Mitov (G)
  • 28 A. Jensen (D)
  • 26 A. Dorrington (D)
  • 22 J. Milne (D)
  • 21 G. Molloy (D)
  • 18 A. Palaversa (M)
  • 6 S. Nilsen (M)
  • 11 N. Milanovic (M)
  • 7 A. Aouchiche (M)
  • 81 T. Keskinen (M)
  • 9 K. Yengi (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 N. Suman
  • 41 R. Vitols
  • 2 N. Devlin
  • 4 G. Shinnie
  • 5 M. Knoester
  • 8 D. Polvara
  • 10 L. Clarkson
  • 14 K. Bilalovic
  • 17 F. Boyd
  • 19 E. Sokler
  • 38 D. Lobban

FCSB

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 32 S. Tarnovanu (G)
  • 2 V. Cretu (D)
  • 4 D. Graovac (D)
  • 17 M. Popescu (D)
  • 28 A. Pantea (D)
  • 21 V. Chiriches (M)
  • 8 A. Sut (M)
  • 11 D. Miculescu (F)
  • 10 F. Tanase (M)
  • 31 J. Cisotti (M)
  • 9 D. Birligea (F)

Substitutes

  • 38 L. Zima
  • 12 D. Kiki
  • 16 M. Lixandru
  • 18 M. Edjouma
  • 20 D. Politic
  • 27 D. Olaru
  • 37 O. Popescu

Timeline

  1. FCSB
    12' FCSB Card · Yellow Card
    F. Tanase
  2. Aberdeen
    22' Aberdeen Card · Yellow Card
    Nicolas Milanović
  3. FCSB
    32' FCSB Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Birligea · Assist: D. Miculescu
  4. FCSB
    39' FCSB Card · Yellow Card
    Valentin Crețu
  5. FCSB
    39' FCSB Card · Red Card
    J. Cisotti
  6. FCSB
    46' FCSB subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Valentin Crețu · On: D. Kiki
  7. FCSB
    46' FCSB subst · Substitution 2
    Off: V. Chiriches · On: M. Edjouma
  8. FCSB
    46' FCSB subst · Substitution 3
    Off: F. Tanase · On: D. Olaru
  9. FCSB
    47' FCSB Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Olaru · Assist: D. Birligea
  10. Aberdeen
    59' Aberdeen subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Molloy · On: G. Shinnie
  11. Aberdeen
    59' Aberdeen subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Nicolas Milanović · On: D. Polvara
  12. Aberdeen
    61' Aberdeen Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Polvara · Assist: T. Keskinen
  13. FCSB
    72' FCSB subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Sut · On: M. Lixandru
  14. Aberdeen
    75' Aberdeen Card · Yellow Card
    Ante Palaversa
  15. Aberdeen
    79' Aberdeen Card · Yellow Card
    E. Sokler
  16. Aberdeen
    86' Aberdeen Card · Yellow Card
    Jack Milne
  17. FCSB
    90'+2 FCSB subst · Substitution 5
    Off: D. Birligea · On: Dennis Politic
  18. Aberdeen
    90' Aberdeen Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Sokler

Match Stats

Stat Aberdeen FCSB
Fouls 14 9
Pass Accuracy — —
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 29 11
Corners 4 3
Total Passes — —
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 13 3
Shots on Target 9 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes — —
Shots Inside Box — —
Saves 2 5
Shots Outside Box — —

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ FCSB took an early lead but the red card to J. Cisotti at 39' shifted momentum towards Aberdeen.
  • ▸ Dario Polvara's goal at 61' provided a significant boost for Aberdeen, setting up the stage for Emil Sokler’s late equalizer.