Latest Nottingham Forest news as Vitor Pereira’s Reds progress to last 16 of the Europa League with aggregate win over Fenerbahce
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Fenerbahce(Image: Getty)
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi admitted a big half-time team talk played its part at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest clinched their place in the Europa League last 16.
The Reds toppled Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate in their play-off tie but had made hard work of securing progress. Nerves had set in Trentside when the visitors ate into the 3-0 lead Vitor Pereira’s side had established in last week’s first leg in Istanbul.
The Turkish outfit went ahead in the 22nd minute in the second leg, then made it 2-0 shortly after half-time. Forest needed a 68th-minute strike from substitute Hudson-Odoi to ease the tension.
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Asked if it was a case of a much-needed half-time team talk on the night, the Reds’ goal scorer said: “100%. It was needed to up the levels a bit more and focus on what we know more, which is us playing football and the high press. We reacted very well.
“I think we made it difficult for ourselves. Sometimes you know when you are in the lead and sometimes you are comfortable. We showed a great reaction after the second goal. The most important thing is that we are through.”
Hudson-Odoi connected with a brilliant ball from Ola Aina to restore a bit of breathing space for Forest in the tie. The club are keen to go far in Europe but know they must balance that with fighting for survival in the Premier League.
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“When the ball came I just looked at it and felt confident I could get a shot off,” Hudson-Odoi told TNT Sports (via the BBC). “Happy with that.
“In situations like that, when they get a couple of goals, you have to calm the game down. We had to focus on what we know best, trying to get the ball and trying to create chances. We have to keep working hard on the little things.
“Every game from now until the end of the season is a final for us. We have to be ready for every game and keep working hard.”