Aberdeen centre-back Andrew Considine left the pitch on a stretcher after a nasty first-half knee harm
Aberdeen’s Europa Convention League group stage hopes stay alive regardless of a irritating play-off first-leg defeat by Qarabag in Azerbaijan.
On a woeful pitch and in humid circumstances in Baku, Stephen Glass will likely be grateful Jaime Romero’s strike on the half hour is the one purpose his aspect must cancel out at Pittodrie.
The Scots didn’t get happening the rutted Tofiq Bahramov Stadium floor, with simply two pictures on track.
The return leg is subsequent Thursday.
Aberdeen go into it with Andrew Considine, who was taken off within the opening 45 minutes on a stretcher, added to the harm listing together with Ryan Hedges after he went off injured in Sunday’s League Cup last-16 defeat by Raith Rovers.
Glass was eager to distance himself from complaints concerning the pitch pre-match, however there isn’t a doubt it had an impression on his aspect’s method with the early exchanges seeing a flurry of hopeful direct balls bypass the Abedeen midfield.
The floor was proving to be a problem for each units of gamers within the opening levels, however the hosts settled faster with Tural Bayramov skipping by way of a problem and sending Joe Lewis to his proper to tip an effort large.
With lumps of turf showing to dig up on each gamers’ step, you feared a critical harm could possibly be across the nook.
And so it proved when Scotland centre-back Considine challenged for an aerial ball earlier than collapsing to the deck.
The change did the Scottish guests no favours as they didn’t compose themselves, with Qara Qarayev seeing an formidable strike drift large of Lewis’ right-hand publish.
However the hosts quickly received the purpose their first-half efficiency merited when Spaniard Romero lower on to his left foot and arrowed a low drive contained in the close to publish.
Glass’ males struggled to realize any management on a very woeful floor – registering simply 35% of possession within the opening 45 minutes.
The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium floor was lined in sand-filled divots and failed to carry up nicely all through the sport
The Dons boss withdrew Jay Emmanuel-Thomas for the youthful legs of Connor McLennan on the break, within the hope of including extra life and tempo on the prime finish of the pitch.
But it surely was a thankless activity for the Aberdeen forwards, with no service coming their means and fixed operating demanded in stifling circumstances.
Fortunately for the guests, Qarabag posed much less of a risk within the second interval as Borges Malinowski had a strike from vary sail over.
Aberdeen ultimately settled as the sport progressed into the latter levels, with Christian Ramirez discovering himself in behind, however the American’s tame and drained end was saved with ease.
That was rapidly adopted with an identical likelihood for the house aspect, however substitute Marko Vesovic confirmed extra endurance and composure, solely to be denied by Lewis who pulled off what could possibly be an important cease within the tie.
The Scots have been supplied a gap with the final kick of the sport when Lewis Ferguson positioned the ball for a 25-yard free-kick.
The midfielder’s effort beat the Qarabag wall, however failed beat residence keeper, who gathered comfortably to spherical up a irritating night time for the Scottish Premiership aspect.
Man of the match – Jack MacKenzie
The younger full-back was tasked with shifting into the Aberdeen again three after Considine’s harm however wasn’t fazed and defended fantastically all through
What did we study?
On a pitch as unhealthy because the one Glass’ aspect have been tasked with enjoying on, it’s troublesome to guage his crew’s response to Sunday’s shock League Cup exit in Kirkcaldy.
To return away with only a one-goal defeat will be seen as a constructive given their efficiency, however there isn’t a hiding from the truth that it’s now back-to-back defeats and consecutive underwhelming shows.
Sunday’s journey to Hearts seems huge for restoring momentum.
What’s subsequent?
Aberdeen go to Tynecastle on Sunday (15:00 BST) to face Hearts within the Scottish Premiership earlier than subsequent Thursday’s return leg towards Qarabag at Pittodrie (19:45).
Extra to comply with.
Line-ups
FK Qarabag
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Mahammadaliyev
30Huseynov5Medvedev81Medina27Bayramov
2Qarayev6Correia Andrade
11Romero Gómez20Borges Malinowski10Zoubir
77Sheydayev
1Mahammadaliyev30Huseynov5MedvedevBooked at 90mins81Medina27Bayramov2QarayevSubstituted forIbrahimliat 87′minutes6Correia AndradeBooked at 63mins11Romero GómezSubstituted forVesovicat 88′minutes20Borges MalinowskiSubstituted forOzobicat 78′minutesBooked at 90mins10Zoubir77Sheydayev
Substitutes
7Almeyda de Oliveira12Balayev13Mustafazade17Panadero18Ibrahimli19Ozobic22Qurbanli29Vesovic94Arazli
Aberdeen
Formation 3-4-1-2
1Lewis
5Gallagher2McCrorie4Considine
22Ramsay8Brown19Ferguson3MacKenzie
16Ojo
14Emmanuel-Thomas9Ramírez
1Lewis5GallagherBooked at 90mins2McCrorieBooked at 42mins4ConsidineSubstituted forHayesat 14′minutes22Ramsay8BrownBooked at 55mins19Ferguson3MacKenzie16Ojo14Emmanuel-ThomasSubstituted forMcLennanat 45′minutes9Ramírez
Substitutes
10McGinn15McGeouch17Hayes18McLennan20Jenks21Gurr24Campbell25Woods30Ritchie31Ngwenya35Hancock
