Vitor Pereira praised his team’s resilience and depth after Nottingham Forest clinched a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Midtjylland to book their place in the Europa League quarter-finals. The Portuguese manager expressed satisfaction with the contribution of his squad players as attention now turns to a crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham.
Pereira strikes the right balance ahead of Spurs test
With a high-stakes relegation battle against Tottenham scheduled for Sunday, Pereira opted to rotate heavily, making nine changes to his starting XI. Despite the significant reshuffle, the Forest boss insisted his side demonstrated why they deserve to compete in Europe. Speaking after the match, he stressed the importance of carefully managing player fitness during a packed schedule.
Pereira said he was delighted with the team’s effort, noting they arrived determined to compete and produced an excellent first-half performance. He explained that his substitutions were not due to poor play, but rather a strategic move to conserve energy and ensure the squad would be fully prepared for the upcoming league encounter.
Confidence and momentum on the rise
The win represents Forest’s first victory since their play-off triumph over Fenerbahce, which came shortly after Pereira took charge. The manager believes the success in Europe will provide a major psychological lift as the team shifts focus back to domestic competition.
He commended the unity and determination within the squad, emphasizing that the players possess the quality, spirit, and character required to overcome the demanding challenges ahead in both the Europa League and the Premier League. Pereira also expressed gratitude to the supporters, acknowledging their role in helping the team progress further in the competition.
