Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin says Dante Polvara absence against Strasbourg due to both tactics and fitness – plus, Emmanuel Gyamfi status explained

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has detailed the dual-reasons Dante Polvara did not play in the 1-0 defeat against Strasbourg in the Uefa Conference League.

Thelin went without the presence of the American midfielder, 25, in his two-man engine room on Thursday, with veteran Stuart Armstrong moving back to partner Adil Aouchiche.

In a game where the duo performed well, the Dons had chances but ended up chasing a late leveller in the closing stages. Polvara – who had started three of the previous four Reds matches – remained on the bench.

The Aberdeen gaffer explained Polvara’s omission was both tactically motivated, but also due to concerns over his work-load.

Thelin said: “It’s a little bit of both maybe.

“In one way it was tactical – how we want to control the game.

“We knew Strasbourg are really strong with the ball and they keep the ball and we want to balance that a little bit, so we chose them (the midfield two) on the profiles

“But also to take care of Dante – he’s played a lot and he hasn’t played a lot before, so sometimes we do need to just balance his rhythm also, but also other players

“Specifically (with) Dante, he had this injury last season (hamstring tear) and we just make him grow and manage his time (on the park).

“But also there was a tactical part of the situation.”

Polvara will be free to talk to other clubs from next month, unless he agrees a new Dons contract, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Talks are understood to be ongoing, with Polvara currently assessing his Aberdeen future.

Gyamfi ‘needs to get up to game intensity’ – Thelin

On Thursday, summer left-back signing Emmanuel Gyamfi returned to the Reds bench after a four-game absence.

The 21-year-old has had quad and hamstring muscle issues since his arrival from Schalke, and while it is understood the German marauder has been back in training for a few weeks, Thelin chose Thursday to reintroduce him to matchday squad. 

Like Polvara, Gyamfi was not among the Dons boss’ five subs against Strasbourg.

And Thelin said: “In Emmanuel’s case, he has had a difficult pre-season and he just needs to get up in the game intensity, so we can build him up again.

“But it’s also good to have this competition inside the squad, because they are so supportive to each other, but still they compete for the same spot.

“They’re pushing each other so hard and helping each other so hard in the training sessions.”

After the loss to Strasbourg ended Aberdeen’s hopes of progressing to the Conference League knock-out rounds, Thelin demanded his side play for the shirt in their final league phase game at Sparta Prague next Thursday.

[Source: Press and Journal]