Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Porto to leave their Europa League quarter-final finely poised ahead of the second leg
Nottingham Forest applaud the away end after their 1-1 draw with Porto in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final(Image: PA)
Has this magical, exhilarating European story got another chapter still to come? Nottingham Forest will believe so.
As Vitor Pereira’s squad stood, as one, in front of an away end that had been in fine voice all evening it was with the knowledge this tie is very much alive. A Europa League semi-final spot is very much within their grasp.
The visitors rode their luck a little in the first leg of their quarter-final against Porto on a warm, sticky evening in Portugal. But they also had a goal ruled out for handball that would have put them 2-1 in front.
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Instead, it finished 1-1 and the Reds will hope home advantage can come into play when the teams do it all again next week. It was a result they can build upon.
Their Portuguese opponents still have hope, too, of course; they will also believe they are capable of progressing. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points from Thursday’s draw at the Estadio do Dragao.
Selection decisions
It is a vanishingly thin tightrope Forest continue to tread, but it might just be one with a glittering prize (or two) at the end of it. This game summed up the juggling act head coach Pereira must continue to perform as twin demands compete for his attention.
European glory and Premier League safety are both jostling for priority. But maybe, just maybe, the Reds have found a way of navigating both – they have given themselves a shot of doing so, at least.
A few eyebrows were raised when the team news came through ahead of kick-off in Portugal, with nine changes to the XI that had toppled Tottenham Hotspur prior to the international break. But by the end, Pereira could argue he had got his selection, and substitution, decisions spot on.
Against his former club – where he got a terrific reception from the home crowd pre-match – the Portuguese picked a team with half an eye on Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa in the league. Likewise, he brought off Chris Wood – who made his comeback after six months on the sidelines – and Murillo at half-time with a view to the weekend.
The Reds’ second string haven’t always performed this season. They were not necessarily at their best this time, either, but they battled and showed character. Coming through the match without injuries and without key men being stretched was just as important as the result.
Mixed fortunes
Overall, there were good bits and not-so-good bits for Pereira to reflect on at the full-time whistle. It was certainly something of a mixed bag in terms of individual displays.
Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was outstanding; but for him, Porto could have put themselves in a commanding position for the second leg. The winter window signing made some superb saves.
Ortega needed to be at his best several times, certainly early on as the visitors were far too open at the back. They did settle into the game, though, and academy graduate Zach Abbott also deserves plaudits for another assured outing. The young defender appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Once they had found their feet, Forest did put together some nice passages of play. A few misplaced passes and a bit of conceding possession meant they didn’t carve out too many chances, though.
The Reds know they will need to play better against Porto next week, if they are to reach the final four. How strong Pereira goes from the off will be the dilemma once again, and may be influenced by how Sunday pans out.
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Wood is back!
As soon as the Reds made their way out for their pre-match warm-up, the away end singled out one man in particular. Wood’s name was belted out with gusto by the travelling contingent.
Almost six months after his last appearance, and on the back of knee surgery around the turn of the year, the New Zealand international was back. It is a huge boost for Forest and Pereira to have him available for the run-in – both on the international and on the domestic front.
The front man didn’t really get a look-in in front of goal this time around, and his match sharpness perhaps still needs a bit of work. But he showed it isn’t just goals he has to offer as he played an important role in tracking back when Porto were pushing forward at one stage.
Igor Jesus has had to largely bear the responsibility of leading the line in Wood’s absence and has done particularly well in Europe. The Brazilian could perhaps consider himself a touch unfortunate to have his second half effort ruled out after coming off the bench; there is no denying how crucial having another forward option can be for Pereira, though.
Next up
And so to the City Ground. Forest’s season is ever so finely poised on both fronts as the final stretch approaches, and it could be on the banks of the Trent where it is all won or lost.
In Europe, it is all to play for in next week’s second leg against Porto. Either side of that game Pereira’s men host Aston Villa and Burnley in two huge league clashes.
The Reds have struggled somewhat at home this term; on the whole, they have done better on the road than in front of their own fans. For this term to end with any hope of glory and of safety, that needs to change.
This campaign has been one of ups and downs, of thrills and more than a few spills. Forest have a huge opportunity to end it in style, though.
Their continental adventure has been one to savour throughout. A generation of fans have been able to experience the kind of nights and trips they had previously only heard stories about.
It was no different in Portugal as a sea of Garibaldi Red soaked up the sun as they savoured the city’s hospitality in the build-up to Thursday’s clash. It might be this particular journey is not over with yet.