Nottingham Forest host Fenerbahce at the City Ground on Thursday as they eye a place in the Europa League last 16
16:14, 25 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira (right) during a training session at the Nigel Doughty Academy
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Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira (right) during a training session at the Nigel Doughty Academy (Image: PA)
Vitor Pereira is planning to freshen up his Nottingham Forest starting XI for Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
The Reds go into the second leg of their play-off against their Turkish opponents with a 3-0 advantage. Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White in Istanbul last week means the club are firmly in the driving seat to reach the last 16 of the tournament.
Pereira went strong with his starting line-up in Turkey and then stuck with the same team for the weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. Afterwards, he admitted the quick turnaround had not been easy for the players - something he will bear in mind at the City Ground, especially with a crucial Premier League match at Brighton and Hove Albion to come on Sunday.
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“If I could, I would change the 11 players,” said the Portuguese. “They deserve it because they are working very hard to improve and to show me that they have the conditions to help.
“But that is not possible because we face a strong team and we cannot risk losing the balance. We need some balance.
“But of course we need energy. Without energy, you get what happened in the second half of the last game (against Liverpool) - it is difficult to keep the pressing and play with the same intensity that I want my players to play with.
“It is important to balance everything; to balance the tactical balance and the physical balance. But I will make some changes.
“After three days, we will play again. I need to think about everything - not just about the game tomorrow but also about the next game. If you force the players to play 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes, the risk of injury is bigger.
“Everybody must be ready to help with this schedule. Eight days, three games, we need energy.”
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The Reds are still without goalkeepers Matz Sels (groin) and John Victor (knee), with the latter expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Striker Chris Wood (knee) has been absent since October and there is also uncertainty over when full-back Nicolo Savona (knee) might return.
“Matz Sels will come back Monday with the team. Wood, we need to wait but he is working to come back,” Pereira said in his pre-match press conference.
“Savona is doing tests to know exactly how long. He is with the medical department and they will have a decision about him as soon as possible.”
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Forest might have one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to last week’s superb display, but Pereira is taking nothing for granted. Having had two spells in charge of Fenerbahce earlier in his career, he knows full well what to expect from the visitors.
“The worst mistake we can make is to think it will be an easy game,” he said. “I know the mentality of this club (Fenerbahce), they will come here believing they can do it and with a spirit to fight for the win here.
“It means we need to approach this game with the right mentality. It is a big chance to please our supporters. They helped us a lot in the last game (against Liverpool) and they deserve a win and deserve to see good football tomorrow.”
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