Malaga 0 - 4 Aberdeen

Leonardo Da Vinci Project

Malaga 0 Aberdeen 4

Aberdeen put in a superb performance tonight to beat La Liga side Malaga 4-0 in Antequera.  

Like the Dons first opponents Sevilla FC, today's opponents were of a very high standards. The Dons had matched Seville throughout the 90 minutes but lost a disappointment goal when the ball broke against them in the box. (Seville match report)

This afternoon Malaga started the game strongly and their movement and passing was very good. Despite having less possession the Aberdeen boys defended well and when they got to grips with the Spaniards movement they got themselves into the game and eventually completely overran them with some excellent football.

The Dons first goal came on 44 minutes. Jordan Brown, who had a brilliant game, picked out Gilli Sorensen which a great pass. The Faroes striker was one on one with the Malaga keeper and showed great composure to put the Dons 1-0 up just before the break.

After half time the game was even and both teams had their moments but crucially on 52 minutes Aberdeen got a second killer goal. Joe Shaugnessy picked out Callum McRobbie in the box and the striker turned his defender brilliantly and finished well by putting his shot across the keeper into the corner of the net.

At this point Aberdeen took control of the game. Just on the hour mark as Neil Cooper was preparing to make a couple of substitutions, Nicky Low played a brilliant diagonal ball to Jordan Brown. The midfielder took a great first touch which was matched by the finished.

Aberdeen added a fourth which their played deserved. Clark Robertson did well inside the area. His effort was blocked but Anthony Bolger was on hand to put the ball into the net.

The score line could have been more. The Dons had a couple of chances and Nico Gibson was very unlucky not to score.

It was a very good team performance today. Marshalled at the back by captain Scott Ross, the defence did very well with Scott Bain and Stirling Smith solid at the back. Clark Robertson and Nicky Low ran the midfield and young Jack Grimmer, the youngest player in the side, put in another impressive display.

What makes the Dons victory even more impressive was the fact it was a very young side that managed to beat the La Liga outfit. Pawlett and Fyvie still qualified to play for the 19s but are obviously playing for the first team and Nicky Clark is on loan at Peterhead. Mitch Megginson and Ryan Jack are also in the current Dons first team squad.

Team: Bain, Jarvis, S Smith, Robertson, Shaughessy, Ross, Sorensen, Brown, Grimnmer, McRobbie, Low

Subs Hansson, Bolger, Gibson, Davidson, Masson, Devaney

A very pleased Neil Cooper spoke to RedWeb this evening.

"The boys have been working very hard during their time here. They have been doing double sessions every day. They have been training in the morning then John Sharp has been doing gym work with them in the afternoon.

"I thought the boys played really well today. They showed great technical ability and movement. They defended well as a team when we had to and also as a team we created a lot of chances.

"It was a very mature performance for such a young side."

The team news ahead of the game - Michael Dunlop is currently injured. Hallur Hansson has a knock so was not risked in the match today but is likely to be ok for the match against Granada. Neil Cooper is likely to shuffle the team a bit and he confirmed to RedWeb that Nico Gibson, Lewis Davidson and Przemyslaw Lukasik are all going to start the match.

The match kicks off at 18:00 local time. RedWeb will have a match report tomorrow night. The Dons final match is against Union Deportiva Marbella on Monday night (20:00 local time kick off)

Leonardo Da Vinci Project - A review of week one please click here