Stefan Gartenmann seeking Aberdeen FC Euro adventure like Midtjylland surprise as he insists group CAN be conquered
The big defender was in European action last season for Midtjylland.
Aberdeen only need to look to Stefan Gartenmann for inspiration as they bid to defy the odds in a European group stage.
The big defender, a goal hero in the weekend win over Rangers, was part of the Midtjylland side who came through a Europa League section including Lazio, Feyenoord and Sturm Graz last season. The Dane can lean on those experiences as he looks to help the Dons make their mark in the Europa Conference League.
They were unlucky to lose 2-1 away to favourites Eintracht Frankfurt but now have back-to-back home games, starting with HJK’s visit on Thursday, as they look to make their mark on a group that also includes Greek side PAOK. Barry Robson’s side are also boosted by a domestic resurgence which saw them take out Ross County in the league and cup before that 3-1 victory at Ibrox.
And Gartenmann said: “Last season at Midtjylland we lost in the third qualifying round of the Champions League to Benfica then dropped into the group stage of the Europa League. We beat Lazio and Sturm Graz at home but lost away. We drew with Feyenoord twice and managed to get through, which surprised a lot of people.”
That glory run was ended by a 4-0 loss at home to Sporting after a battling draw in Lisbon and Gartenmann would love to go on another Euro adventure with Aberdeen this season. He said: “It was a great run last season and brilliant to be involved in.
“It just goes to show if you can build up some early momentum then anything can happen in European competitions. We got a draw in Lisbon and everything was to play for at home but Sporting were better on the night. It is all about keeping the game alive, as we showed in Frankfurt.
“If we had been down 3-0 then the game was done but we kept it alive and pushed them all the way. In European football it is about keeping yourself in the games and trying to pick up as many points as you can along the way.”
Gartenmann knows Aberdeen’s Euro ambitions could hang on their next two games against HJK and PAOK. They won plaudits for their German performance but now it’s all about points. The Finns are in the same boat after losing their opener to PAOK so the stakes are high at Pittodrie.
Gartenmann said: “You need to put points on the board in the European campaigns. It was a good performance against Frankfurt but we didn’t take any points which was a big disappointment. Now we have two games at home against HJK and PAOK. Hopefully, we can put points on the board. We need to try to pick up points from every game but we also know the importance of our home matches.
“If we can win both games then we might only need another point or two to qualify. That is what it is all about. If we can create a gap then that would be ideal because it is going to be a tight group against three quality sides.
“We also know we have a quality team at this level. We showed it in Germany and now we have to show it over the next five games. If we do that then I believe we can do really well in this group.”
The 26-year-old is at Aberdeen on a season-long loan and European football was a big lure. Gartenmann said: “It was big in my decision to come here. I tried them last season with Midtjylland and they are fantastic occasions to be involved in. Coming to the big stages is amazing because you have so many big games against top players in the best stadiums.
“There is something different about these matches and it is what you dream about as a youngster. Now I am here at Aberdeen and I want to show I am a good player and we are a good team.”