Aina’s dig at Fener
Forest ran out 3-0 winners in the cauldron that is Fenerbahce’s home ground, but Aina was not convinced by their claim that they were being welcomed to hell.
He posted on X: “Came to Istanbul, they told us ‘welcome to hell’, I said feck… it was feeling like heaven though.”
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Goals from Jesus, Murillo, and Gibbs-White have given Vitor Pereira’s side a massive head-start ahead of the second leg, though it is, of course, only half-time in the tie.
Pereira’s fine start
Pereira’s fine start
Pereira oversaw his first match as Forest manager in the Europa League, and guided them to a stunning win.
Speaking after the game, he said: “We had chance to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It is only half-time, we need to be consistent, the schedule is tight and difficult.
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“Everyone must be ready to help the team. This is what I ask them.
“I realised before I came that the players have a lot of quality. They need results but they need to enjoy the game.
“If they enjoy the way they are playing they can have a high level. They need organisation and confidence. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch. They did it.”
Pereira rubs off on players
Gibbs-White was delighted with Forest’s performance, adding: “I felt we had a real identity out there. We defended well and we created so many chances,” said the England midfielder.
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“His message to us is that we will have a real identity how we play and defend as a team. We have all bought into what he wants straight away.
“It is about learning off each other and taking it game by game. We needed a clean sheet and we needed a win and today felt like the perfect moment.
“We have been going through a difficult time, confidence is the main thing and tonight will boost confidence. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team.”
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What comes next?
What comes next?
Forest are currently 17th in the Premier League table ahead of a tricky fixture against Liverpool this weekend.