Adil Aouchiche wants to repay Aberdeen’s faith by leading Dons back to Europe – ‘I have to give it back’

Adil Aouchiche wants to repay Aberdeen for giving him regular football by helping the club secure a return to Europe next season.

The French midfielder, who is on loan from English Premier League side Sunderland, says the chance to play in Europe was a major factor in his decision to move to Pittodrie – and he wants to repay the opportunity afforded him by helping the Dons qualify for Europe again next season.

Aouchiche said: “We need and we have to play Europe next season.

“I came here and they gave me the opportunity to play Europe, so I have to give it back to them, and this huge club deserves to play Europe every season.

“I’m going to do everything to reach it, and I think every player and every staff in this club are going to do everything to go to Europe.”

Sunderland pleased with on-loan midfielder Aouchiche’s progress

The Dons have an option to make Aouchiche’s loan permanent in the summer, but for now the player remains a Black Cats player.

The Premier League newcomers have been monitoring their player’s progress at Pittodrie, and with the midfielder featuring regularly, he insists both he and his parent club are pleased with how his time with the Dons – where he been deployed in a deeper midfield role – has gone so far.

He said: “I have a good relationship with Sunderland, with the scouting.

“They’re just happy for me because I’m playing and I’m happy for them also because they’re flying now in the Premier League.

“It’s a good moment for us in Aberdeen- for me, for myself, to play a lot of games, be happy on the grass, but for them at the same time.

“We will see (what happens in) the future and I wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

“The scout came to Dundee when I scored two goals and I used to speak a lot of times about this position and he was happy for me because, like I said, I can be more alive, control the games and help my team to play better.

“They are happy for me in this position, too. They just know I’m a real competitor, I like to win games, score goals, give assists, play games in a row and be happy I can reach my best level – (the) best version of myself.”

Aberdeen aiming to close Premiership gap – Aouchiche

Aouchiche may be enjoying his time at Pittodrie, but he was left frustrated by his side’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Pittodrie on Saturday.

Aberdeen dominated for long spells but had to come from behind to earn a point after being punished for poor defending by the visitors.

With a trip to Easter Road on Tuesday to face Hibernian next up, Aouchiche believes his side must try to claw back the two points dropped at home by picking up points in their next three games, which are all away from home.

He said: “It was a frustrating game. We were good in the position with the ball, but we need to be creating more big chances in the final third.

“I think we just need to work more in this phase to score more goals.

“We had the momentum of the game. Our fans were with us and we were disappointed that we didn’t bring the three points from home game and also for the fans.

“We need to pick up some points in the next away games. It’s always hard to bring some points from away games, but we need to do it because we lost two pointsagainst United.

“Every game is important, but, of course, the Hibs one will be really massive and we want to go there to bring the three points. That’s the only way.

“It’s a good chance to close the gap and bring back some confidence for our team.

“Maybe if we win this away game against a big team, it’s going to be really good for our team.”

[Source: Press and Journal]