With a hugely important trip to Tottenham on Sunday, Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira had to weigh up his team’s needs in the Premier League against their attempt to make further progress in the Europa League.
After suffering a 1-0 first-leg reverse to Danish outfit Midtjylland last Thursday, the former Wolves boss decided top-tier survival was higher on the totem pole than success in Scandinavia. As a consequence, wholesale changes were made compared to Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham.
Raised eyebrows from those who had made the journey to the Nordic region. The decision to make sweeping changes was justified when Forest took the lead in the first half, a certain element of irony attached to the scorer.
Considering Vitor Pereira had cleared the decks from one European clash to the next, it was one of the only few players to keep their berth in the starting eleven that opened the scoring just five minutes before the interval.
Nicolas Dominguez heading the Premier League representatives ahead, Forest with their tails up going into the second half and their levels of exuberance would have only increased seven minutes after the restart.
Ryan Yates given enough time and space to get a shot away from just outside the Midtjylland penalty area. His low strike fizzing past Elías Rafn Ólafsson – the Icelandic goalkeeper tasked with picking the ball out of the net for the hosts.
0-2 on the night, 1-2 in the tie. Forest ahead for the first time in more than 135 minutes of European action against the Danes. There were still nearly 40 minutes plus whatever added for Midtjylland to get back in the game.
Forest’s game plan changed from all-out attack to getting the job done, a job that would need 30 minutes of overtime thanks to Martin Erlic’s goal for the hosts. His finish from inside the area, ratcheting up the tension in the MCH Arena.
Extra time subsequently required, Forest with a very different look to how they started. Six subs made by Vitor Pereira during regulation time, could the likes of Morgan-Gibbs White and Elliott Anderson find a winner and forego the need for penalties?
The answer to that was no as both sides were more cautious in the half hour that followed. Playing not to lose, rather to win. Caution meant this Europa League Round of 16 tie would be decided from the penalty spot.
A decision that went Forest’s way and in the easiest way possible. Each of their three takers coolly slotting home when it mattered most. Each of Midtjylland’s trio failing to keep their nerve, Edward Chilufya even failing to keep his feet.
The easiest shootout that Forest ‘keeper Stefan Ortega will ever have to deal with, this component of the game being won 3-0. Progress for Vitor Pereira and his players, as Porto await in the last eight. Now, there is the small matter of a Premier League relegation six-pointer in North London to follow at the weekend.
