‘Even the rain played against us’ – Vitor Pereira bemoans Nottingham Forest’s loss to Midtjylland in UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg

And Pereira suggested that his side were unfortunate, not helped by the bad weather.

“Even the rain today played against us,” Pereira told TNT Sports. “The best moment we are playing, we are creating good dynamics, good chances to score, but the rain came and it was difficult.”

Eliiot Anderson, Igor Jesus, Ola Aina and Omari Hutchinson all had good opportunities to score for Forest, but they could find no way past goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.

“It’s difficult to explain, we create so many chances to score a goal,” Pereira added. “Even if we draw, in my opinion it’s not fair.

“Two chances that they create, they score a goal. We had enough time and I believe that we had the quality to win the game.”

Highlights: Wasteful Forest pay price as Midtjylland silence City Ground

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite the disappointment, Pereira urged his players to “keep the spirit” ahead of a key match in the Premier League against Fulham on Sunday, and the return leg of the last 16 tie against Midtjylland in Denmark next week.

“We did everything to score, just missing the goals,” he said. “In the end it’s very frustrating and they came here just to draw and won the game.

“But happy with my players and happy with the supporters. We try to keep the spirit and prepare for the next game against Fulham, and the second leg there.”

Williams: Forest have to start taking chances

While Pereira insisted he was happy with his team, TNT Sports pundit and ex-England international Fara Williams urged Forest to be more clinical in front of goal.

“Sometimes when you are down there it doesn’t quite fall right for you,” Williams said. “Nottingham Forest are going through that a bit.

“There’s disappointment in there but there’s also belief, and when you are fighting at the bottom you need that confidence and belief that the players have, so that’s really positive.

“It’s easy to say they need to be more clinical in front of goal but that’s what it is. They are good chances that they’re creating, they’ve got to put it in the back of the net.”

‘Got to put it in the back of the net’ – Pundits on why Forest must be more ‘clinical’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Former Forest midfielder Andy Reid added: “You don’t want to be relying on luck either, but it does play into it a bit. There’s probably not that little bit of luck coming at the minute.

“You saw the chance that got cut back, Ola Aina takes a shot and it gets blocked by Morgan Gibbs-White. So a little bit of luck can be needed, and it can be helpful.

“You come off and you’re disappointed, but there’s still a lot of positivity.”