ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes believes his side face the equivalent of a “semi-final” tonight in Cyprus as they attempt to make it into the play-off round of the Europa League at the fourth time of asking.

Aberdeen take a precarious 2-1 first-leg lead to the Mediterranean melting pot this evening in Larnaca when they face Apollon Limassol.

McInnes has led the Dons to five away wins in Europe, but they have fallen at the third qualifying round for the past three years.

Qualifying would see the Dons in the play-off draw along with the likes of AC Milan, Marseille, Everton and Zenit St Petersburg and McInnes is convinced his team have what it takes to get past this hurdle.

He said: “We view this like a semi-final and want to get to the final to give ourselves a chance of taking part in the play-offs.

“It’s very difficult to get to the group stages. It’s not how it used to be. The last time Aberdeen were in the group stages they played one two-legged match to get there. There are obstacles in our way, but hopefully we can find a way to overcome Apollon Limassol and get into the play-off round.

“It’s only half time in the tie. The onus is on Apollon to score, but we never go into a game not trying to score. It was simpler in Bosnia because we had to score a goal or we were out. For us, it feels like there’s work to do. In any second leg of a European tie, the dynamic of the game could change if you score a goal or lose one. 

“We are very comfortable playing away and have had some of our best results playing away in the Europa League. We won in Groningen, Rijeka and Bosnia just last week. While the conditions will be a factor we have proved we can deal with that.”