Aberdeen full-back Greg Leigh has pinpointed what the Dons can’t afford to do during their crucial Europa League clash with Rijeka.
They currently trail the Croatians 2-0 after a defeat in the first leg away from home. They now return to Pittodrie for the second leg in need of a minor miracle.
Leigh believes that a slow start will kill his new side’s chances of progression.
He told the Daily Record: “We can’t afford a slow start. It’s something the manager addressed after the game and the players need to be aware. We know what we have to do and we have to do it as early as possible to give us the best chance.
“Going away to Rijeka we didn’t show them what we’re about. We’re going in not to concede, which would have been ideal, but we have to show them what we’re about at Pittodrie.
“We’ve done it before and need to do it again. It’s exactly what you want to be doing. You want to be playing in Europe, playing in as many competitions as possible.”
Leigh performed well for Aberdeen in Rijeka
Whilst they weren’t great going forward over in Croatia, Aberdeen were pretty resolute at the back. One of the better performers on the night was Leigh.
He limited Rijeka’s ability to bomb down the right pretty efficiently. There was also a willingness to try and make things happen in attack himself.
Leigh was able to hold his head up following the Aberdeen disappointment in Rijeka. He did all he could to make a positive impact on the game, but could do little to prevent the home side’s two strikes.
Derek McInnes is going to need a minor miracle in the second leg. Whilst 3-0 would do the trick, Rijeka will likely score.
The Red Army will likely need to net four if they go all out in search of victory. With McInnes confirming to the club’s website that star striker Sam Cosgrove might not make it, that task could be borderline impossible.
They’ll have a good go at it no doubt though. Aberdeen will need a rocking Pittodrie to will them on to potentially cause a European shock.