Derek McInnes and his Aberdeen side will need to score at least three goals against Real Sociedad in order to qualify for the Europa League play-offs, which are drawn this Friday.

The first leg last Thursday ended in a 2-0 victory for La Real, courtesy of second-half goals from David Zurutuza and Sergio Canales. Despite a strong start to the game, Aberdeen were unable to make their dominance count, a defeat which left manager Derek McInnes downhearted, but the former St. Johnstone and Bristol City manager thinks that his side still have a good chance of qualifying:

“There were doubts about us being capable of beating the Dutch but we did. Winning 2-1 over there was a great result and showed we have some real quality in our squad."

"Doing that to a La Liga side as good as Sociedad is a far tougher proposition but one my players will relish taking on. For all Sociedad dominated in Spain we never gave it up.

“It will be the same at Pittodrie because we always believe we are capable of scoring in any game. If we can impose ourselves early on and maybe snatch an early goal it could be an interesting night. Not allowing Sociedad to be as dominant is key to our chances, though.

“It would help to get the home crowd going and then it could be game on. We have a very tough evening ahead but it’s one we are all looking forward to. These are the sort of challenges you have to relish. We know we won’t get a harder game all season. We will certainly be doing all we can to compete better with them in the return.”

The game is the first European game to be sold out at Pittodrie since the Dons held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw in the 2008-09 Europa League, although the Aberdeen fans will not be able to see some of the bigger names of Sociedad play. Carlos Vela is still carrying an injury, having not played for the club since the remainder of Arsenal's ownership was bought out. The first goalscorer from the first leg, David Zurutuza, is also expected to miss out after suffering concussion at the weekend.

One of Sociedad's standout players from the previous leg,  Ion Ansotegi, believes that the side have what it takes to end Aberdeen's European run this season:

“In the Anoeta we saw a Real Sociedad side who played well and created a lot of chances and we have to continue along the same lines in the return leg. If we play like we did in the first leg with the same desire, intensity and the intentions I’m confident we can beat Aberdeen."

“Of course no two games are ever the same. But if we give our all then it’s going to be much easier for us to progress to the next round."

“We’ve got to go flat out right from the start. Aberdeen will be looking to grab an early goal and we have to be conscious of that. But if we can score first then the tie will practically be over. We have to try to repeat our performance from the first leg. That’s the best way for us to approach this game.”

It has been 30 years since Aberdeen overturned a two-goal deficit in Europe, knocking out Hungarian side Újpest in the quarter-final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1984. The Dons know that a huge task lies in front of them, but with the support of their fans at Pittodrie, nothing is impossible.

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