Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United

                                                        Stach 88'                      

The 2025/26 season was not one to forget for Forest. The ups of reaching a European semi-final for the first time in 32 years, going on a 10 game unbeaten run and surviving another season in the Premier League, finishing 16th. Whilst the downs included four different managers, going winless in 10 games and spending several weeks in the relegation zone. Ultimately they did survive, but a summer refresh would be necessary to ensure the rollercoaster was more of a well-oiled machine.

Most people thought this would include a busy summer transfer window but when Oliver Glasner hinted he may be interested in the head coach role, Marinakis knew who he wanted. Vitor Pereira had done his job of keeping the Reds in the league but the Forest owner, players, staff and fans know what they can achieve; with Glasner at the head of this, everyone started really believing after he guided Palace to 3 trophies in his time in charge there. A change of formation to 3-4-2-1 could really get the best out of some of these players with Forest’s pre-season games showing glimpses of this. To assist the new style of play, Ousmane Diomande was signed from Sporting to slot into that back 3 whilst Xaver Schlager boosts the midfield and Steven Benda fills the third goalkeeper slot.

After a long summer off, the Reds were finally back and first up was Leeds at home. Last season, the Whites looked as though they were returning straight back to the Championship. However, after a formation change things took off for Daniel Farke’s side as they finished 14^th.  They only managed 2 away wins last season, something they would need to improve on to keep themselves out of another relegation battle. They have invested in their squad well bringing in future England number 1 James Trafford and snatching Harry Wilson on a free transfer. Farke named these two plus another new signing, centre back Muharemovic in his starting XI. Glasner’s side included no new signings, working with what he first had but a surprise could be James McAtee starting alongside Sangare in midfield. The last time these two faced each other on the opening day, Leeds went onto be First Division champions.

It was the visitors who got off to a better start as Forest just couldn’t seem to settle, looking nervous. However, it was the Reds who had the better opening chance. Aina’s long throw from the right was met by the head of Jesus who had managed to get himself free. Unfortunately for him, Trafford got down to his left to parry it away. Leeds thought that they had taken the lead as Bogle’s low cross was tapped in by Wilson but as the ball was played, the Welshman was in an offside position.

Neither side could generate sustained attacking threat in the first half but Forest had another good opportunity from a dead ball situation. McAtee’s corner from the right was cleared but only out to Gibbs-White. He played it back out to McAtee for another go and the ball was much better this time, finding the unmarked Milenkovic. However, his header could only be flicked onto the left post. Jesus tried to head in the rebound but the ball was slightly too high for him. Let’s hope for a more exciting second 45.

The Whites came out the more dominant side in the opening 15 minutes but they couldn’t register a real shot on Sels’ goal. It was the same story as the first half; Leeds were on top yet Forest were creating the better chances to take the lead. After a few red shirts linked up down the right, Aina whipped in a delightful cross. It was met by Jesus at the far post who headed down but as the ball came back up, it narrowly missed the top left corner.

As we entered the last 20, Sels was called into his first real save of the game. The ball was lofted in from the left and met by the rising unmarked Muharemovic. To Forest’s rescue, Sels stretched out a strong left hand to pull off a brilliant save. This was potentially a wake up call for Forest who pushed to find a late winner but they just couldn’t find that cutting edge; it looked like this was going to end 0-0.

Just as you thought that, Milenkovic gave away a cheap free kick on the top left corner of the box. There was uncertainty if Stach would shoot from this angle or loft it in for one of his teammates but the German decided to go for goal. Sels had only set up a 2 man wall to block the shot but it either needed 3 men or for Gibbs-White not to split it as the ball nestled in the bottom left corner. The Forest goalkeeper got a hand to the effort but not a strong enough one to keep it out. The Reds had no reply and could only fall to defeat with themselves to blame as Glasner becomes the 7^th straight permanent Forest manager to lose his first Premier League game in charge of the club. This was Leeds’ first win at the City Ground in 15 attempts. Forest do have the chance of redemption as these two face off again on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup.

We always manage to lose the most 0-0 games 1-0. I thought that we never really managed to get ourselves going in an attacking sense as our better chances came from set-pieces. We also looked a bit shaky at the back, potentially due to some nerves. The goal we have conceded is really poor from Sels’ point of view as we’ve seen Stach shoot from that angle before so the wall should’ve included 3 men and he also didn’t set himself properly when the shot came in. I do think there has been slight overreaction from the Forest fans as the players are still adapting to Glasner and his style of play. He struggled at the start of his reign at Palace and look what they went onto achieve. I think this game highlighted our need for a striker, although I do think Jesus did well with what he got. We also need a new wing back as Aina has looked poor in this system. A new midfielder isn’t necessarily a must as McAtee showed glimpses in that role and he is still learning a new position.

Forest: Sels; Murillo (Kalimuendo 90’), Milenkovic, Cunha; Williams, McAtee (Schlager 74’), Sangare, Aina (Netz 74’); Gibbs-White, Ndoye (Wood 62’); Jesus

Leeds: Trafford; Muharemovic, Bijol, Rodon; Justin, Ampadu, Stach, Bogle; Aaronson (Longstaff 82’), Calvert-Lewin, Wilson (Okafor 66’)