In a match that swung wildly from one end to the other, Nottingham Forest suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat to FC Midtjylland in their UEFA Europa League league phase opener at the City Ground on Thursday evening. The home side, under new manager Ange Postecoglou, started brightly but couldn't hold off the Danish visitors' clinical finishing, leaving fans frustrated as the whistle blew.
Forest took an early lead through a well-worked move, with Morgan Gibbs-White slotting home in the 12th minute after a deft pass from Chris Wood. However, Midtjylland responded swiftly, equalizing just before the half-hour mark via a set-piece header from Franculino Djú. The visitors then capitalized on a defensive lapse, as Joel Schlupp's own goal put them ahead 2-1 shortly after. Indeed, Postecoglou's men fought back valiantly; Wood nodded in his second of the night from a corner to level things at 2-2 in the 55th minute. But Midtjylland's resilience shone through once more, with Cho Gue-sung sealing the win in the 78th minute after a quick counter.
The loss marks a continuation of Postecoglou's tough start at Forest, now winless in his first four games across all competitions. Injuries didn't help either—defender Murillo was forced off in the first half with what looked like a hamstring tweak, disrupting the backline just as they needed stability. Moreover, Midtjylland's prowess from dead balls proved decisive; they've scored 40% of their goals this season from set pieces, a tactical edge that Forest struggled to neutralize. Fans voiced their discontent post-match, with chants targeting the board echoing around the stadium, a sign of mounting pressure in this European adventure.
Postecoglou, speaking to reporters, acknowledged the positives in Forest's attacking intent but lamented the "sloppy moments" that cost them dearly. Midtjylland, meanwhile, climb to third in the group with six points from two games, their organized press and sharp transitions exposing Forest's vulnerabilities.
However, it's early days in the league phase, and with tougher fixtures ahead, Forest will need to sharpen up quickly. As the dust settles on this pulsating encounter, one wonders if this setback will spark a response or deepen the doubts surrounding their continental campaign.