Nottingham Forest's European campaign kicked off with a frustrating 2-3 defeat to FC Midtjylland on Thursday night at the City Ground. The match, part of the UEFA Europa League league phase, saw the hosts push hard but ultimately falter against the Danish side's clinical finishing. Ange Postecoglou, in his early days as Forest manager, watched his team concede three goals, extending his winless streak and drawing sharp criticism from the stands.
The game started brightly for Forest, with early pressure leading to a goal just before halftime. However, Midtjylland struck back swiftly in the second half. Their set-piece prowess—something they've honed for years—proved decisive, as two headers from corners exposed Forest's defensive lapses. Indeed, the visitors took the lead midway through the first period via a quick counter, only for Forest to equalize moments later through a scrappy finish from their forwards. But Midtjylland's resilience shone; they regained control after the break, adding two more in quick succession around the 60th minute.
Forest mounted a late rally, pulling one back in the 78th minute with a well-taken shot, but it wasn't enough. Injuries didn't help—defender Murillo limped off early, disrupting the backline. Postecoglou's tactics, aiming for an attacking flair, left gaps that Midtjylland exploited ruthlessly. Fans voiced their discontent at full time, chanting against the new regime, a sign of the pressure building after a shaky domestic start.
Moreover, this loss highlights Midtjylland's edge in European ties, having navigated tougher groups before. For Forest, though, it's a wake-up call in their return to the Europa League after years away. The scoreline flatters no one; possession was even at 52%, but shots on target told a different story—Midtjylland with 12 to Forest's 8.
However, Postecoglou remains defiant, pointing to the learning curve of continental football. As the group phase unfolds, one wonders if Forest can regroup and salvage their season.