Nottingham Forest 1-0 FC Porto

Gibbs-White 12'

After a 1-1 draw at the Estadio do Dragao, it was all to play for in Nottingham. The atmosphere had been building in the city all day, ahead of a huge night. Could Forest reach their first major European semi-final in 42 years or would Porto end their dreams?

Last week, in the first leg, neither side could give themselves an advantage. Porto took an early lead but just two minutes later, Fernandes scored a bizarre own goal to level the tie. Both sides will have boosts after positive results in their respective leagues. Forest played out a 1-1 draw with fellow Europa League side Aston Villa whilst Porto won away 3-1 at Estoril, making it five wins in their last eight, a run of form which sees them five points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga. Pereira made five changes from the first leg as he went with a stronger side. His side would be without key player Elliot Anderson after his mother’s passing. As for Porto, they only named one change from last week as Alberto Costa replaced the injured Fernandes.

The Reds would be confident being at home but results across the season would state they should feel otherwise. Their last home win in the league came in mid-December as their last three domestic wins came away from home. Despite making it to the quarterfinals, Forest lost both home legs of the playoff round and the round of 16. Another boost for the visitors would be they’ve scored in eight consecutive Europa League games; the last time they didn’t was at their previous visit to the City Ground when Forest won 2-0 in the league phase. However, it’s hard to ignore that they have never won a game on English soil in a major European fixture before.

After just one minute, Porto nearly took the lead. Silva played a long ball towards the right channel where Gomes was making a run. Williams watched the ball all the way and looked to have dealt with the danger but a heavy touch allowed Alberto Costa to run onto it. Before the ball could slip away from him, he poked it to Moffi. The angle was against the striker but he tried to chip it over Ortega and into the far corner but the strong arm of the ‘keeper kept it out.

The early drama continued as the visitors were reduced to ten men. Hutchinson played a ball into the centre circle looking for Wood. Both Wood and Bednarek stretched to win the ball but the striker got their first, leaving Bednarek to catch him with his studs on the knee. After an on-field review, the referee showed the centre back a red card.

The Reds made this advantage account as they went 1-0 up. Diego Costa’s rushed clearance bounced around in midfield until Alberto Costa seemed to bring it under control. On his shoulder was Williams who nipped in to snatch possession and poke the ball to Gibbs-White. The Englishman turned and drove towards goal before shooting from the edge of the box. On its way towards goal, it hit the leg of Rosario and deflected in, leaving Diego Costa routed. The City Ground has not erupted like that in a long time.

Momentum had definitely gone in the hosts favour as they dominated, creating some good opportunities as a Dominguez shot flashed just wide of the left post and Jesus sent a header looping just over the bar. Their next big chance fell to Murillo. From the right, Hutchinson’s cross hung in the air before Jesus headed back across goal for Cunha. With his back to goal, Cunha set Murillo from the edge of the box but his side footed effort blasted just wide of the right post. Forest were not giving Porto a chance to breathe as their defence faced relentless pressure. Porto did grow into the game as we entered stoppage time but they couldn’t make the Reds pay for their many missed efforts. It would be tense for that second 45 but in ten out of their eleven home games when leading at half time, Forest have gone onto win.

After spending most of the first 45 in their own half, Farioli made a quadruple substitution at half time to hopefully see a change. This didn’t take immediate effect as Forest continued how they ended the first half. Ndoye played the ball to Aina who made a run towards the byline down the right of the box. He crossed the ball into the danger area where it was met by Jesus on the volley. However, Diego Costa was equal to the shot, pulling off a brilliant save.

Despite dominating, any lapse in concentration could cost the Reds their deserved lead. This is almost exactly what happened! A quick throw in was taken to Fofana and he was in behind the Forest defence down the left. He was quickly closed down by Dominguez, forcing him to cross the ball in to Gomes unmarked at the far post. He hit the ball on the volley from close range but it only crashed off the crossbar before red shirts scrambled clear.

This didn’t seem to startle Forest as they retook control of the game, pushing for another goal. Bakwa broke down the left before passing across to Jesus in space on the edge of the box. He took a touch before looking to slot the ball into the bottom right corner. Diego Costa was alert, saving the effort with an outstretched arm.

Forest were showing good game management to slow the game down and try and see it out. However, they almost let Porto reply late through a mistake. They were playing out through the back and Cunha passed to Gibbs-White. Moura was quickly closing him down and he pinched the ball off Forest’s captain, deep into the Reds’ half. Moura poked the ball to Gul who teed up Varela from 20 yards. His effort flew over Ortega but it bounced off his crossbar. Forest countered from this scare and the move ended with Dominguez shotting from the edge of the ‘D’. His shot whistled just wide of the left post.

This was not the final time the crossbar was hit as the game drew to a close. Luckily for Forest fans, it was their side. Forest countered through Bakwa’s run down the left before he found Jesus. The Brazilian turned to face goal before setting himself for the strike, one which deflected off Silva and clipped the woodwork on its way over.

The Reds held on to set up an all English tie against Aston Villa in the semi-finals. They’re just 180 minutes away from a major European final.

The nerves could definitely be felt but the team managed to get the job done. We played really well, creating some good chances, it’s just a same we didn’t score more. We didn’t help ourselves at times but we recovered and managed to keep a clean sheet. I thought our game management as the game drew on was brilliant. My standout was Williams who produces every week for us. We have hit form at the right time in both competitions as we are looking like ending the season strongly. The semi-final will not be easy but we can’t count ourselves out.

Forest: Ortega; Williams, Murillo (Morato 72’), Cunha, Aina; Sangare, Dominguez; Ndoye (Milenkovic 65’), Gibbs-White, Hutchinson (Hudson-Odoi 46’ (Bakwa 72’)); Wood (Jesus 16’)

FC Porto: D Costa; Sanusi (Moura 46’), Bednarek, Silva, A Costa (Kiwior 46’); Rosario, Fofana; Sainz (Varela 46’), Veiga (Froholdt 46’), Gomes; Moffi (Gul 66’)