Nottingham Forest Stay Alive In Europa League After Tense Second Leg Tie, Hudson-Odoi Praises Response

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Nottingham Forest slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Fenerbahce at the City Ground, yet still advanced to the Europa League round of 16 with a 4-2 aggregate success, as Callum Hudson-Odoi praised the team’s resilience while accepting the tie became far more tense than needed.

Vitor Pereira’s tenure at Nottingham Forest had started with a 3-0 away win in the first leg in Istanbul, but home form has since dropped sharply, with defeats to Liverpool and Fenerbahce meaning Pereira is the second Forest head coach this season to lose the first two home matches in charge.

Forest’s setback against Fenerbahce also followed an earlier loss to Midtjylland in October, so this Europa League campaign is the first major European season in which Forest have suffered two home defeats, although the aggregate scoreline against the Turkish side still secured a place in the knockout phase.

Kerem Akturkoglu struck twice for Fenerbahce, opening the scoring on 22 minutes before winning a penalty within 24 seconds of the restart and converting it, yet Hudson-Odoi’s 68th-minute finish changed the mood as Forest produced nine second-half shots to the visitors’ five, with both goalkeepers then making crucial late saves.

"I think we made it difficult for ourselves," he told TNT Sports. Sometimes you know when you are in the lead, and sometimes you are comfortable. We showed a great reaction after the second goal. The most important thing is that we are through. It [the half-time team talk] was needed to up the levels a bit more and focus on what we know more, which is us playing football and the high press. We reacted very well. In situations like that, when they get a couple of goals, you have to calm the game down. We had to focus on what we know as best, trying to get the ball and trying to create chances. We have to keep working hard on the little things. Every game from now until the end of the season is a final for us. We have to be ready for every game and keep working hard.

Nottingham Forest Europa League reaction from Vitor Pereira

Pereira responded to a flat first period by making four substitutions at half-time, including the introduction of Hudson-Odoi, a move designed to revive Forest’s pressing and also manage fitness levels with another important fixture scheduled three days later, though the changes briefly disrupted rhythm and confidence.

"When you change half of the team, it is not easy to keep the level, Pereira told TNT Sports. It was my responsibility because we have an important game in three days. I decided to recover some players to have energy in the next game, but it is not easy when you change a lot. We conceded a goal, and we lost the confidence to play. It was difficult for me to do four subs at the same time, but I spoke to the players and said it was my decision, and we needed to do it because the game came into a dangerous situation for us. They scored the second, but then we started to play to our level. We scored. This is important to keep in our minds, Europa League is not easy. With stress and pressure, it was difficult for them to be themselves because they are not playing every match. In the end, we are in the competition. In the second half, we controlled the game and result. Let's move forward."

The defeat extended Pereira’s personal sequence to four consecutive home losses in all competitions, including the final two matches of the spell at Wolves, yet Forest’s improved second-half control, stronger pressing and decisive away-leg advantage meant the Europa League campaign continues despite concerns over recent performances at the City Ground.