Victory against the Dons came at a high price for Real Sociedad.
Manager Jagoba Arrasate’s team will be in the draw for the play-off round today but the Spaniards lost midfielder David Zurutuza and £8million attacker Alfred Finnbogason to injury in their 3-2 win against Aberdeen.
Arrasate was more than impressed by the Dons, and their supporters, after a superb game. He said: “It was not the same Aberdeen team as in the first leg of the tie in the Anoeta. They changed tactics and their players and we had more difficulties.
“Aberdeen have some very good things and we had a lot of problems in this game. We had seen videos of the Aberdeen matches.
“They beat Daugava Riga easily and then defeated Groningen away, so we knew they were a very competitive team and they are at a very good level.
“This was real football, pure football and I have to pay tribute to the Aberdeen supporters and players.
“We knew it was not going to be easy in a difficult stadium. In the second half we did not play but we managed to get the goals to win the game.”
Finnbogason is feared to have dislocated his shoulder, while Zurutuza suffered a leg injury and Arrasate needed the impact of substitute Sergio Canales, who scored in the first leg.
The Sociedad manager added: “He sees a very good pass and with him we play better.”