Nottingham Forest's Europa League campaign hit a snag on Thursday night, as they fell 2-3 to FC Midtjylland at the City Ground. The match, part of the league phase, started with promise for the home side under new manager Ange Postecoglou, but defensive lapses and Midtjylland's clinical finishing turned the tide. Indeed, Forest had controlled much of the first half, yet found themselves trailing by halftime after a swift counter from the Danish visitors.
The game kicked off at 8pm local time, with Forest pressing early. Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, slotting home after a neat one-two, giving the Reds a lead they cherished briefly. However, Midtjylland, known for their set-piece prowess, equalized just before the break. A well-worked corner in the 38th minute saw Franculino Djú hitting the net, exposing Forest's aerial weaknesses. Moreover, the second half unraveled quickly for Postecoglou's men. Midtjylland took the lead in the 52nd minute through Cho Gue-sung's header from another dead ball, and by the 67th, Aral Uysal had made it 3-1 on a breakaway.
Forest fought back valiantly, with Morgan Gibbs-White pulling one back in the 75th minute via a deflected shot, injecting some hope into the stands. Yet, despite late pressure and a few near misses, they couldn't find an equalizer. The final whistle brought groans from the crowd, marking Postecoglou's third winless game since taking over. Critics might point to the injury to key defender Murillo early on, which disrupted the backline, but questions linger over the team's inability to hold leads.
Midtjylland's victory, built on disciplined defending and sharp transitions, lifts them in the standings, while Forest now face a tough road ahead in Group H. The loss stings, especially at home, and fans' frustration boiled over post-match, with calls for tactical tweaks echoing online. Still, in the grand scheme of Europe's second tier, one defeat doesn't define a season—what adjustments will Postecoglou make next?