Celtic beat Aberdeen 5-1 at Pittodrie in the Scottish Premiership two weeks ago Scottish Cup final: Aberdeen v Celtic Venue:Hampden Park, GlasgowDate:Saturday, 24 MayKick-off:15:00 BST Coverage:Watch on BBC One Scotland, listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app In outlining a case for Aberdeen upsetting the odds and winning the Scottish Cup final on Saturday - the Dons are friendless at 6-1 - Pittodrie midfielder Dante Polvara gave it his best shot, a kind of dribbler that veered off in the general direction of the corner flag. No pressure and no expectation, said the Aberdeen man of his team's prospects against treble-chasing Celtic, a valiant attempt at turning their last four results against the champions into a positive. The Dons have lost those games 5-1, 5-1, 1-0 and 6-0. The element of a free hit, "some luck from the football Gods" and "you never know what could happen", the 24-year-old American said. If Aberdeen were not in such lousy form then you might dare to dream on their behalf. As it is, with four defeats in a row on top of the psychological baggage of no win against Celtic in 30 games stretching back seven years, you have to wonder if miracles really come this big. Rangers, but also Livingston, Ross County, St Mirren, Hibernian, Heart of Midlothian and Kilmarnock have all beaten Celtic at least twice since Aberdeen last did so. It's a curious thing, this red-clad mental barrier. The aggregate score since their victory in 2018 is Celtic 79 Aberdeen 22. So, in fairness to Dante and his hopes for a Celtic inferno, most people think they probably do know what's going to happen on Saturday, including many fatalistic Aberdeen supporters who are travelling in fantastic numbers but not, you suspect, with a whole lot of belief. Polvara is looking to the heavens, but the God of the footballing underdog doesn't tend to show up on days like this. Scottish Cup finals have delivered two genuine shocks in more than half a century - Dundee United beating Rangers in 1994 and Aberdeen beating Celtic in 1970. As Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers has had 38 cup ties in domestic football and he has won 37 of them. Some have been landslides, others have been hairy. They have conceded potentially morale-sapping equalisers in minutes 88 and 119 to go to penalties but have won both shoot-outs. They won last season's Scottish Cup final with virtually the last kick, Adam Idah scoring. They won the 2017 final in similar fashion, Tom Rogic getting the winner against Aberdeen in the 92nd minute. The only time the Gods have shined on Celtic's opponents in these knockout games against a Rodgers team was when Kilmarnock beat them in the League Cup last season. In all those cup-tie hours under Rodgers, they have trailed for a total of 130 minutes, scoring 133 and conceding 29. The Celtic manager has never lost at Hampden. How does Aberdeen counterpart Jimmy Thelin beat them? You are reminded of what Walter Smith once said before playing Juventus in the Champions League. The then Rangers manager was asked how do you stop Alessandro del Piero? "With a gun," the great man replied, in full gallows humour mode. Rodgers holds all the aces in terms of players and resources, but other clubs in other countries have similar dominance and yet do not hoover up all that Rodgers hoovers up. Occasionally, even the monied ones get caught. None of the traditional Italian superpowers won the Coppa Italia this season. Lewis Ferguson's Bologna did. It was their first trophy in 51 years. The biggest guns in England got beaten to the FA Cup by Crystal Palace, the first major trophy in their 164-year history. On Saturday, the German Cup final will not feature Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen or Borussia Dortmund. Stuttgart, ninth in the Bundesliga, will face Arminia Bielefeld, the champions of Bundesliga 3. Bielefeld have been around for 120 years and have never won one of the big trophies. Will the year of the underdog extend to the Dons? This video can not be played When Willie met Jimmy: 'Dream big & be brave' One of Rodgers' great strengths - and one of Aberdeen's many challenges - is his ability to see complacency coming from a mile away. He constantly sets his players new targets to keep them on their toes. The other day he was talking about them "etching their names into the concrete" of the club. Many of them have already done that, of course, but as a piece of motivation, it works. It's a powerful image, a goal to chase. Outside Celtic, people will crave a change in narrative, a twist in the tale of what they see as boring Parkhead dominance. No doubt, Rodgers uses that, too. Everybody is waiting for the Celtic manager and his team to fall flat, but they hardly ever do. You could paper the length and breadth of the city's Union Street with the things that Aberdeen must do and other things that Celtic must not be allowed to do in order to cause an upset. The impressive 2-2 draw they got in Glasgow in October seems like an eternity ago. Since then, carnage. A dozen different Celtic goalscorers and an aggregate of 17-2. Daizen Maeda has scored five goals in three games against the Dons. In Aberdeen's recent poor run, they've had the ruinous tendency to concede in clusters - two in seven minutes against Dundee United, three in nine minutes against Celtic and two in six minutes against Rangers. The fact that Celtic score in clusters is a terrible danger for them. In domestic games, Rodgers' team have scored in the manner of a boxer landing lethal combinations. They score and, when an opponent is still dazed, they score again and the job is done. On 20 different occasions, they have scored twice or three times in bursts of between two and 10 minutes. Aberdeen have been one of their main victims in that regard. Dons fans will fear that this could be an early knockout. Thelin's Herculean job is to set his team up to frustrate and strike out when the moment arises. Resilience, concentration, discipline, ruthlessness. Given that they are low on confidence and goal threat, high on defensive vulnerability, and of a questionable mentality, then he is looking to pull off one of the great cup final shocks of modern times. If he can see it, he might be the only one. If he makes it happen then the victory will take its place in the dusty annals of Hampden giant-killing.
Do miracles come this big for Aberdeen against Celtic?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Aberdeen Faces Daunting Challenge Against Celtic in Scottish Cup Final"
Bbc News
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic, expectations are low for the Dons, who are considered heavy underdogs. Having suffered a string of defeats against Celtic, with a staggering aggregate score of 79 to 22 since their last victory against them in 2018, Aberdeen's midfielder Dante Polvara expressed a mix of hope and realism. He acknowledged the daunting task ahead, noting their poor form with four consecutive losses against various teams, including Celtic, and emphasizing that while they have nothing to lose, the psychological burden of their history against the champions looms large. Polvara's comments reflect a broader sentiment among Aberdeen supporters, who are traveling in numbers but may not carry much belief in their team's chances for an upset. The odds are stacked against them, with bookmakers placing their chances at a staggering 6-1, indicating that a miracle would be necessary for them to triumph.
Celtic, under the management of Brendan Rodgers, enters the match as a dominant force, having lost only one of their last 38 cup ties. Their impressive form includes a history of scoring in bursts, a strategy that has devastated opponents like Aberdeen in recent encounters. The Dons have struggled defensively, often conceding goals in clusters, which poses a significant threat against a Celtic side that excels in capitalizing on such vulnerabilities. As the final approaches, the focus is on whether Aberdeen can muster the resilience and tactical discipline needed to challenge Celtic's supremacy. With the odds heavily favoring Celtic, the narrative of the underdog remains tempting, but history suggests that the Dons will need more than hope to achieve a historic upset at Hampden Park. The final, taking place on May 24, will be a test of wills and strategies, as Aberdeen seeks to break a long-standing curse against their rivals and create a memorable moment in Scottish football history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the upcoming Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic, framing it within the context of Aberdeen's dismal historical performance against the champions. The tone suggests skepticism about Aberdeen's chances, reflecting a broader narrative of underdog struggles in high-stakes matches.
Analysis of Purpose
This piece appears to aim at generating interest and discussion about the Scottish Cup final, particularly regarding the notion of an upset. By emphasizing Aberdeen's poor track record against Celtic, the article sets the stage for the potential drama of a surprise victory, catering to readers' love for sports narratives filled with hope and unpredictability.
Public Perception
The article cultivates a perception of inevitability regarding Celtic's dominance, which may resonate with fans who have witnessed the teams' historical matchups. It also suggests that while Aberdeen supporters may travel in numbers, their expectations are tempered by realism, hinting at a sense of resignation among the fans.
Concealed Messaging
There doesn’t appear to be a deliberate concealment of information; instead, the focus seems to be on the stark contrast between the teams’ recent performances. The article highlights the psychological barrier that Aberdeen faces and the broader context of their struggles, which is relevant for understanding the stakes of the match.
Manipulative Elements
The article's manipulative potential lies in its framing of Aberdeen as the eternal underdog. While this is a common narrative in sports journalism, it may unintentionally dissuade hope among fans by overly emphasizing past failures rather than focusing on potential. The language used, such as "you never know what could happen," creates a tension between hope and pessimism.
Realism of the Content
The statistics and historical context provided lend credibility to the article. However, the overall tone suggests that the outcome is largely predetermined, which could be seen as undermining the competitive spirit that characterizes sports. This raises questions about the balance between realistic assessment and the encouragement of sportsmanship.
Community Engagement
This article is likely to resonate more with fans of Aberdeen and those who enjoy underdog stories in sports. It appeals to individuals who appreciate the narratives of struggle and triumph, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Economic and Political Implications
While the article primarily focuses on a sporting event, the emotions surrounding such matches can influence local economies, particularly in terms of business for pubs, restaurants, and transportation in Glasgow. A surprising victory could also foster a sense of community pride and unity among Aberdeen supporters, potentially leading to increased local investment.
Market Impact
The article doesn't directly address stock market implications but could indirectly affect businesses associated with Aberdeen, as an upset victory could inspire local economic growth. The sports betting industry might also see fluctuations based on the odds mentioned, particularly if there is significant public sentiment towards an upset.
Geopolitical Relevance
The article is primarily focused on local sports and does not have direct implications for global power dynamics. However, it subtly reflects cultural narratives surrounding competition and resilience, which can resonate in broader contexts beyond sports.
Use of AI in Writing
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was employed in crafting this article. However, if AI were used, it might influence the tone and structure to align with common journalistic practices, particularly in sports coverage. The choice of language and statistical presentation could reflect AI's ability to aggregate data and present it in a compelling format.
In summary, the article serves as a narrative on the challenges faced by Aberdeen against a dominant Celtic team, reflecting broader themes of hope and despair in sports. It offers a blend of factual content and emotional storytelling, aimed at engaging readers in the lead-up to the final.