275 years as your voice
Stefan Gartenmann lamented the lack of final product and believes Aberdeen’s defeat in the Viaplay Cup final to Rangers.
The Dons suffered a 1-0 defeat at Hampden Park, with Gers captain James Tavernier scoring the winner with 14 minutes remaining.
In a largely disjointed final, the Reds posed few risks to Jack Butland’s goal throughout the 90 minutes.
Danish defender Gartenmann felt his decision had failed to cause Philippe Clement enough upset that day.
Gartenmann said: “We didn’t have what it takes. We had to control their goalkeeper and defence a bit more.
“We had the feeling, every time we approached his stall and inside, that there was something to pick up.
“But obviously we didn’t create the opportunities and tension in their area that we needed.
“They were a little bit better at the end of the line.
“I think we gave everything there, it’s not the effort we lacked, but the quality in the last situations.
“The little touch in the box, the cross hitting the right player, the pass in the deciding situations.
“We had a couple of counter-attacks where the passing was a little bit more accurate.
“That’s probably the difference between us and the Rangers. “
Extra-time increasingly looked like a possibility at the national stadium, until Tavernier bundled home the winner from a Borna Barisic cross.
Despite the lack of tension in the Rangers’ goal, Gartenmann insisted Barry Robson had a chance to make the biggest breakthrough as the game progressed.
The 26-year-old added: “There are two on the pitch. They defended well and we struggled to create chances.
“Any other day it can be a 0-0 game and then have extra time and who knows?It can happen the other way around.
“We could have those small margins that turn the game in our favour.
“In the league and in the cups, scoring the first goal is essential. We have noticed it many times.
“That’s how it comes back from 1-0 down. That’s my point of view.
After missing out on a first cup triumph since 2014, Aberdeen’s focus will now return to league action when they host Livingston on Wednesday.
This kicks off a packed festive schedule, with 3 of their next 4 games in Pittodrie.
With the Dons sitting 10th in the Premiership table, Gartenmann feels it is vital they bounce back with a run of momentum in the league.
He added: “It’s all emotions right now. It’s frustration, it’s disappointment.
“But we also see it as an opportunity. This feeling that we are feeling now, we try to avoid it as much as possible. “
“It’s the worst feeling you can have as a footballer.
“Now we want to feel that feeling and try to avoid it as much as possible.
“I wouldn’t say it fortunately, but there’s a game on Wednesday.
“It’s the best chance to recover.
“We can feel sorry for ourselves, and we probably will for the next hour, but then we’ll have to move on.
“Football is tough, in a final like this there will be a loser and today it was us.
“We’ve just got to face Livingston on Wednesday, that’s the only thing we can do right now. “
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