Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds draw 0-0 with Sturm Graz in Europa League clash
19:43, 06 Nov 2025Updated 19:49, 06 Nov 2025
Neco Williams during Nottingham Forest vs Sturm Graz
View Image
Neco Williams was excellent for Nottingham Forest against Sturm Graz(Image: AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Nottingham Forest were left to rue a number of missed chances as they had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Sturm Graz in their Europa League clash in Austria.
The Reds matched an electric atmosphere at the Merkur Arena with a lively start. Twice they went close to opening the scoring before the quarter-hour mark.
First, James McAtee fired narrowly wide from a well-worked Nicolas Dominguez free-kick. And then Ryan Yates had a header cleared off the line following a corner as Arjan Malic denied the Forest skipper.
Missed opportunities have been an issue for the Reds this season, however. They almost paid the price for their profligacy again when the hosts had the ball in the net before the half-hour.
John Victor spilled Otar Kiteishvili’s shot straight into the path of Maurice Malone, who duly tapped the ball in. Fortunately for Sean Dyche’s men, the offside flag came to their rescue.
They still couldn’t take their chances at the other end, though. Morgan Gibbs-White saw his penalty saved 10 minutes before the break after Emanuel Aiwu handed a Neco Williams cross. VAR checked for another spot-kick in the aftermath as Yates felt he had been fouled in the resulting scramble, but there was no second penalty for the visitors.
The second half was a much scrappier affair and the visitors struggled to find their rhythm. Chances were at a premium for both sides.
Dyche didn’t exactly have a raft of attacking options on the bench to try to put that right, either. Injuries and unavailability had hampered him on that front, while other players had been rested ahead of Sunday’s big Premier League clash with Leeds United.
Dominguez went close to bagging a winner with a deflected shot that cannoned off the crossbar but it proved a frustrating night in front of goal for Forest as they claimed a point on the road. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the Merkur Arena.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
John Victor: Didn’t exactly convince on his second outing since his summer move. Had his blushes spared by the offside flag when he spilled Kiteishvili’s first-half effort and was helped out by his defence when he did the same with another shot before the break. Rating: 5/10
Nicolo Savona: Seems to be growing in confidence the more he plays. Having a run in the side is really benefitting the 22-year-old. Inexperience still showed at times but mostly acquitted himself well once again. Rating: 7/10
Nikola Milenkovic: Helped limit the hosts to relatively few openings. Did his best to try to cause problems at the other end by getting in the box for set-pieces, and that led to Yates’ first-half chance. Rating: 7/10
Morato: Made some important interventions when Graz got forward, chipping in with some well-timed tackles. Steady enough. It was at the other end of the pitch where the Reds needed a bit more. Rating: 7/10
Neco Williams: Difficult to remember the last time the Welshman had a poor game for the Reds. Was excellent once again in Austria and provided a good outlet down the left flank. Little surprise he won the penalty in the first half after starting the move in the first place. Rating: 8/10
Ryan Yates: A proud moment for the academy graduate, leading the club out in Europe. Was agonisingly close to crowning the moment by getting on the scoresheet. Try as they might, though, goals are still proving hard to come by for the Reds. Rating: 7/10
Ibrahim Sangare: Worked hard throughout on his return to the starting XI. Wasn’t the only one guilty of giving the ball away on a few occasions but generally marshalled the midfield well. Rating: 7/10
James McAtee: How did he miss that early chance? Will no doubt be reliving that one over and over. Caused the hosts problems in the opening stages but faded somewhat in the second half before making way. Rating: 6/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Not his night. Will be disappointed with his penalty. Didn’t strike it with any conviction and it was comfortable for the goalkeeper. Still seems to be trying a bit too hard to get back to top form. Rating: 5.5/10
Nicolas Dominguez: Clever set-piece to tee up McAtee’s chance in the opening minutes - a shame it didn’t come to anything. Busy in the first half, then quieter after the break as the Reds found the going tough. Almost won it late on, though. Rating: 6/10
Arnaud Kalimuendo: A big opportunity for the summer signing on his first start for the club. Lack of minutes showed as he looked a bit rusty. Found it difficult to make the ball stick and didn’t really get a look-in in front of goal. Rating: 5/10
Subs
Dan Ndoye (for McAtee, 66mins): Didn’t really get into the game as it was pretty scrappy in the second half. Couldn’t make the difference from the bench on this occasion. Rating: 6/10
Murillo (for Gibbs-White, 78mins): Forest were not really tested at the back during his time on the pitch. Tried to push the visitors forward in the closing stages in search of a winner. Rating: 7/10
Zach Abbott (for Kalimuendo, 80mins): Confident and composed when he came on, showing some good touches. A memorable moment for the young defender, getting a taste of the European action. Rating: 7/10
Article continues below
Subs not used: Sels, Willows, Boly, Whitehall, Thompson, Sinclair, Hammond.
How would you rate the Reds against Sturm Graz? Click HERE to have your say