Vitor Pereira
Nottingham Forest enters the second leg of their Europa League play-off against Fenerbahce with a significant 3-0 advantage. The Reds secured a commanding lead in Istanbul last week, courtesy of goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool over the weekend, manager Vitor Pereira remains optimistic about his team’s prospects of advancing to the tournament’s last 16.
Vitor Pereira said: “If I could, I would change the 11 players. They deserve it because they are working very hard to improve and to show me that they have the conditions to help. But that is not possible because we face a strong team and we cannot risk losing the balance. We need some balance. But of course we need energy. Without energy, you get what happened in the second half of the last game (against Liverpool) – it is difficult to keep the pressing and play with the same intensity that I want my players to play with. It is important to balance everything; to balance the tactical balance and the physical balance. But I will make some changes. After three days, we will play again. I need to think about everything – not just about the game tomorrow but also about the next game. If you force the players to play 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes, the risk of injury is bigger. Everybody must be ready to help with this schedule. Eight days, three games, we need energy.”
Forest’s squad management is crucial, especially with injuries affecting key players. Goalkeepers Matz Sels and John Victor are sidelined with groin and knee injuries, respectively, with Victor expected to miss the rest of the season. Striker Chris Wood has been absent since October due to a knee injury, while full-back Nicolo Savona is undergoing tests to determine his return timeline.
Pereira added: “Savona is doing tests to know exactly how long. He is with the medical department and they will have a decision about him as soon as possible.”
Despite their advantageous position, Pereira is cautious about underestimating Fenerbahce, a club he previously managed. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and delivering a performance that will satisfy the home supporters.
“The worst mistake we can make is to think it will be an easy game,” Pereira stated. “It means we need to approach this game with the right mentality. It is a big chance to please our supporters. They helped us a lot in the last game (against Liverpool) and they deserve a win and deserve to see good football tomorrow.”
As Forest prepares for the clash, Pereira’s strategic adjustments and player rotations will be pivotal in managing the team’s energy levels and ensuring a successful outcome. With one foot already in the last 16, the Reds are determined to capitalize on their first-leg success and continue their European journey.
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