Vitor Pereira got Nottingham Forest off to a perfect start as his team cruised to a 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League knockout stage.
Despite only being appointed as Sean Dyche’s replacement four days ago, Pereira broke Forest’s three-match winless run and took firm control of the tie, on the verge of clinching a round of 16 encounter with either Real Betis or Midtjylland.
Pereira made two small changes to Dyche’s final line-up, using the same formation, but Forest looked vastly improved from the kick-off and took a deserved lead when Murillo’s long-range attack ushered in a new era in emphatic style.
Murillo celebrates Nottingham Forest’s goal against Fenerbahce
The centre-back, who was one of two changes Pereira made in his first start, picked up the ball near the halfway line, advanced unopposed and fired a shot into the bottom right corner.
Forest continued their dominance from then on, adding a second goal just before half-time when Igor Jesus converted a flick from Morgan Gibbs-White’s corner at the back post.
The same duo would link up again after the restart, but it was the Brazilian forward who turned provider on this occasion, slotting the ball in for Gibbs-White to give Forest their third goal and give Pereira an impressive first win against the team he had twice managed earlier in his career.
Undeterred by a hostile reception in Istanbul, the European victory and clean sheet was a great start to the new regime at the City Ground, but Pereira’s side now face a rapid reversal ahead of their next test against Liverpool, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
The second knockout tie will be played at the City Ground on February 26th.
Sunday, February 22, 1:00 p.m.
Kickoff at 2pm
Pereira: “We deserved to win, the players showed their quality”
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira told TNT Sports:
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Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira reflected on his team’s 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
“(What I liked most) was the quality of the players. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch and they did that.
“We had a chance to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It’s only half-time. We need to be consistent. The schedule is tight and difficult. Everyone has to be ready to help the team. This is what I want from them.”
“It was a consistent game for us, the result was well deserved.
“What I noticed before coming was that the players have a high quality. They need results, but they also need to enjoy the game. If they enjoy their game, they can go to a high level. All they need is organization and confidence.”
Nottingham Forest’s Ryan Yates (left) and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo celebrate after defeating Fenerbahce
Gibbs-White: We now have an identity.
Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White told TNT Sports:
“Today we showed our true identity. We played an incredible defense and created so many chances. We could have created more chances. The job is not done yet. We need to go again well prepared.”
“His message to us was to establish an identity for how we play as a team and how we defend, and we immediately accepted what he wanted.
“We showed that in plenty today. It’s important to get that every game. We needed a clean sheet and a win. Today was the perfect moment.”
“Overall it was a great day.”
Morgan Gibbs-White adds Nottingham Forest’s third goal.
Forest’s new look is impressive, but will it be reflected in the Premier League?
Patrick Lowe of Sky Sports:
“Although the personnel and formation were the same, the football and the final product show a manager who is already making changes after just four days at the club.
“From the first moments, Forest looked more purposeful and more incisive in the final third, which was even more impressive given the hostile reaction in Istanbul.
“Murillo’s opening goal was shocking, but rightly so. After taking the lead, they were never going to let it go and could have easily added to their tally.”
“In Sean Dyche’s last game, it was a stark contrast to a team that didn’t make any of 35 shots against the Wolves.
“If Forest can repeat that performance in their remaining 12 Premier League games, any fears of relegation will be a distant memory.”
