Nottingham Forest secured their spot in the Europa League last 16, overcoming a scare from Fenerbahce with a 4-2 aggregate victory, despite a 2-1 loss in the second leg at the City Ground.
Coach Vitor Pereira had the flexibility to rotate his squad after a comfortable 3-0 win in Istanbul last week, but the disparity in performance was striking.
Forest also created their own hurdles, complicating what appeared to be a straightforward task.
They fell behind in the 22nd minute as Fenerbahce’s swift attack allowed Kerem Akturkoglu to find the net, offering the visitors a glimmer of hope.
This early goal boosted Fenerbahce’s confidence, leading to missed opportunities by Akturkoglu and Sidiki Cherif to equalize in the first half.
After a first half lacking shots on target and high turnovers, Pereira opted for four substitutions at half-time, which he described as a “difficult” decision following the game.
However, just moments into the second half, a careless tackle by Jair Cunha conceded a penalty, which Akturkoglu converted, giving Fenerbahce renewed confidence.
Despite this setback, Forest regained composure, with substitutes making a significant impact. Their possession-based strategy helped calm the nerves of their supporters.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a vital goal for Nottingham Forest during the match.
As frustration among the fans grew, it was substitutes Aina and Hudson-Odoi who combined effectively, leading to Hudson-Odoi scoring his first European goal by firing into the far corner.
This goal eased the pressure on Forest, ultimately securing their progression to the next round of the tournament, where they will meet either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the draw.
Pereira: Risk of rotation
Head coach Vitor Pereira acknowledged the difficulties of rotating six players, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming games and the need for careful management of the squad.
“Changing half the team is risky, especially since we’re at a point in the season where we need to think about multiple games,” Pereira stated. “It’s all about balance and ensuring players have the energy for what’s next.”
He reflected on the pressure and the challenges faced when relying on positional rotations, suggesting there were lessons learned from this match.
Hudson-Odoi: We need to improve
After the game, Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi remarked, “We made it harder for ourselves, but our reaction after they scored was commendable.” He emphasized the need for collective focus and execution in future matches.
Upcoming Europa League schedule
Round of 16 draw: 27 February, 12pm
Round of 16 Matches: 12 & 19 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
Final: 20 May 2026 (Istanbul)
