Nottingham Forest secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Porto in the Europa League quarter-final last night, ending the host’s 100% home record in this season’s competition.
Vitor Pereira’s side will no doubt be happier with the result at the Estadio Do Dragao, with the Reds having the chance to return to the City Ground and put the tie to bed next week.
William Gomes put the Portuguese side ahead after just ten minutes, after Gabriel Veiga’s low cross flashed across the box and found the Brazilian unmarked at the back post.
morato-forest
However, Forest were handed a huge lifeline just a couple of minutes later, as full-back Martim Fernandes misplaced his back pass and found the back of his own net.
Pereira will be hoping his side can produce a more convincing display in next Thursday’s return leg, with one starter deserving of another chance on home soil.
The stats behind Dan Ndoye’s performance against Porto
Since his £34m summer move from Bologna, many questions have been asked of winger Dan Ndoye - especially considering he’s scored just twice in 35 appearances to date.
He’s a player who’s divided opinion within the fanbase as of late - even doing so last night - but his performance certainly didn’t warrant the criticism he received.
ndoye-forest (2)
The Swiss international was tasked with operating in an unnatural wing-back position throughout, but managed to produce some impressive numbers at both ends of the pitch.
Ndoye managed to win eight of the ground duels he entered, whilst also making four tackles - subsequently putting in a tremendous shift despite his unfamiliar role.
The 25-year-old also made four ball recoveries and was fouled twice as he prevented lively winger Gomes from adding to his goal tally as the game progressed.
Even in transition, the wing-back provided a decent threat, as seen by his tally of two successful dribbles, whilst completing two crosses and registering six touches in the opposition box.
The player who must start every game for Forest after Porto
As previously mentioned, Ndoye is a player who’s yet to reach his full potential at Forest, something which can be said about a lot of the club’s recent additions.
The likes of James McAtee and Dilane Bakwa have also had to rely heavily upon Europa League minutes to make an impact and force a change in Pereira’s plans.
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Both impressed in flashes against Porto during the draw, with the latter of the aforementioned duo registering the highest pass completion rate of any Reds player in Portugal.
Questions about the summer additions will no doubt be asked during the off-season, once again, when the hierarchy will have to decide who to move on to allow for added reinforcements.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis before the match
However, January addition Stefan Ortega is a player who desperately needs to remain at the City Ground beyond the expiry of his current short-term contract this June.
The German goalkeeper joined from Manchester City for just £500k in the winter window, but only penned a contract until the end of the current campaign.
Like McAtee and Bakwa, his most recent minutes have come in Europe, with the 33-year-old taking full advantage of the opportunity handed his way last night.
Ortega made seven saves against the Portuguese outfit on Thursday night, with the rest of the squad having the shot-stopper to thank for keeping them in the tie.
ortega-forest
He prevented a staggering xG of 1.27, with the man between the sticks undoubtedly keeping the game in the Reds’ grasp - especially after the first ten minutes.
Even with the ball at his feet, Ortega offered a calm presence and looked comfortable playing out from the back - subsequently completing 30 passes in the process.
After such a showing, the goalkeeper was handed a 9/10 match rating, with the German undoubtedly being the shining light during the hard-fought score draw.
Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Porto
Player
Stefan Ortega
Zach Abbott
Murillo
Morato
Dan Ndoye
Nicolas Dominguez
Ryan Yates
Dilane Bakwa
James McAtee
Morgan Gibbs-White
Chris Wood
Given his heroics, it’s certainly not an outrageous comment to say he should be starting every game, with his quality playing a massive role in the club’s chances of survival.
It may be slightly harsh on current number one Matz Sels, given his Golden Glove last season, but there’s no denying Ortega has the top-level quality needed between the sticks.
Stefan-Ortega-Nottingham-Forest
For hugely different reasons, he and Ndoye could both write their names into Forest history come the end of the season - with the prospect of European glory still firmly within reach.
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