Nottingham Forest go into the final game of the Premier League season with Champions League qualification up for grabs, but there are concerns about Murillo’s fitness.
Murillo went off injured against West Ham but then bizarrely returned to the match and played on, leaving Forest fans confused as to the severity of the issue.
In fact, Murillo wasn’t seen in training ahead of the West Ham clash, so fans weren’t expecting to see him at all, but he started and finished the game alongside Nikola Milenkovic.
Now, Nuno Espírito Santo has taken time in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Chelsea clash to give fans the latest on how the Brazilian is feeling.
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Nuno Espírito Santo delivers worrying Murillo update
Murillo was initially injured against Crystal Palace but hoped to play some part in the final fixtures. Truthfully, though, his lack of appearances in training footage made it seem unlikely that he would be seen again this season.
Once again this week, Murillo hasn’t been seen on Forest’s social platforms, leading to Espírito Santo delivering a concerning update to the media.
He said: “Still assessing [Murillo’s injury], he twisted his ankle and has not been able to train. Let’s see tomorrow.”
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While he wasn’t ruled out exactly, if Murillo hasn’t trained then it surely suggests that Morato is the more likely candidate to start on Sunday at this moment.
It also suggests that the injury itself against West Ham was more serious than the Brazilian led on, making his display even more remarkable.
Murillo was heroic against West Ham with a twisted ankle
Espírito Santo praised Matz Sels for his showing against West Ham, but more credit surely has to go to Murillo, knowing the injury he was suffering throughout the game.
Statistic Murillo vs West Ham
Accurate passes 27/32 (84%)
Clearances 9
Interceptions 3
Duels won 4
The 22-year-old wasn’t dispossessed at all in the game, completing 84% of his passes. It’s his defensive efforts that deserve the most credit, though, given that Forest defended valiantly for over 20 minutes as the Hammers searched for an equaliser.
Murillo completed nine clearances, including six with his head, and was also sharp enough to intercept three attempted passes, which must’ve been painful on his twisted ankle.
Whether he makes it to Sunday or not, Murillo’s efforts through injury against West Ham helped get Forest to within a chance of Champions League football.