Nottingham Forest are away to FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie in Denmark on Thursday
19:37, 18 Mar 2026Updated 19:46, 18 Mar 2026
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira
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Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira(Image: PA )
Head coach Vitor Pereira says it is a “pity” Nottingham Forest’s position in the Premier League will impact his team selection in the Europa League.
The Reds take on FC Midtjylland in Denmark on Thursday (5.45pm kick-off) with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. They are 1-0 down from the first leg of their last 16 tie and face an uphill battle to continue their continental adventure.
Pereira is planning to make changes to his starting XI as he takes into account Sunday’s huge league clash away to Tottenham Hotspur. But he is convinced the line-up he will field will still have enough quality to do a job at the MCH Arena.
“This competition is something special,” the Portuguese said. “For me it is a pity our situation in the league, because we need to compete in the Premier League and the games are very tough.
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“The next game is against Tottenham, and Tottenham is competing with us for the same target - to be safe in the Premier League. It means that, for me, it is a pity that I need to have decisions and to think not just about this game (against Midtjylland) but the next two games.
“I need to think about it because it is important for the club. Of course the Europa League is important for the club but the (Premier) League is very important for the club
“If we are in a safe position, it is completely different. But I’m very confident we will come with the best level, with energy and ambition.
“Tomorrow, the intention is to win the game and compete for qualification. But of course, it is the third game and we have another game in three days.
“It is important to be fresh mentally and physically. That is why I will rotate tomorrow and give a chance to some players to show they deserve to, and are in condition to, help the team.”
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Ambitious owner Evangelos Marinakis has made no secret of his desire to win trophies with Forest. But staying in the English top flight is the absolute priority.
“He wants to keep the club in the Premier League first of all, and try to compete in the Europa League, of course,” Pereira said. “We will try our best for the qualification. This is what he said to me, that it is important to keep the club in the Premier League and try to compete in the Europa League.”
He added: “We are in the moment that I must try to balance the team, try to compete in both competitions. I cannot forget the next game in the league, because it is an important game for us. I believe to play in our level and compete in the way we want to compete, we need to be fresh physically and mentally. We will try to have balance to compete and win the game.”
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