Vitor Pereira encouraged his Nottingham Forest players to “express themselves” before their impressive victory against Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off tie. Their commanding performance marked Pereira’s debut as head coach, resulting in the club’s largest away victory in European competition.
Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White highlighted a dominant display, which could have even seen a more significant scoreline.
Pereira shared with TNT Sports: “We had opportunities to score two more goals, and it’s a very good result. But it’s only half-time; we must maintain consistency as we navigate a tight and challenging schedule.”
“Everyone must be prepared to contribute to the team, and I expect that from them,” he added.
“I recognized before joining that the players have considerable talent. They need results, but it’s crucial that they enjoy playing the game. Enjoyment can elevate their performance; they just need structure and confidence. I asked them to show their true selves on the pitch, and they did just that.”
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Currently sitting fourth from the bottom in the Premier League and only three points above the relegation zone, Forest’s primary focus is on survival. However, extending their first European campaign since 1995-96 would greatly enhance morale at a club historically revered for winning the European Cup twice under Brian Clough.
As Forest prepares to host Fenerbahce in the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday, 26 February (20:00 GMT), they are now strong contenders to advance to the last 16, where they would face either Midtjylland or Real Betis.
‘We will have a real identity’
A significant challenge for Forest this season is that Pereira marks the fourth manager they’ve had, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche all implementing different strategies during their tenures.
Despite this, captain Morgan Gibbs-White stated the players adapted quickly to Pereira’s approach.
“I felt we had a clear identity out there,” remarked the England midfielder. “We defended well and created numerous opportunities. His message is that we’ll have a real identity in how we play and defend as a team, and we’ve all quickly embraced his vision.”
“It’s about learning from one another and taking it game by game. We needed a clean sheet and a win, and today was the perfect moment for that. We’ve faced a tough period, and boosting our confidence is vital. We need to stay united and aim to be the most complete team we can be.”
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