Forest have found the togetherness they need for relegation fight and Europa League run

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsRare Title ShowdownArsenal's New Blueprint?Liverpool’s Huge SummerForest have found the togetherness they need for relegation fight and Europa League runNottingham Forest fans show their support during the Europa League quarterfinal against Porto Alex Livesey/Getty Images Share articleIn the home dressing room at the City Ground, Vitor Pereira told his Nottingham Forest players that he was proud of them. Not just for securing a first European semi-final since 1984 — but for the spirit and togetherness his team had shown to get there. Even after barely two months in the job, the Portuguese regularly tells his squad that they are his second family and that — in that spirit — they must look after each other in challenging moments; in times of adversity. It was the kind of attitude that won Forest promotion from the Championship under Steve Cooper in 2022 and that also underpinned top flight survival under both the Welshman and Nuno Espirito Santo, as well as the seventh-placed finish of last season. It was one of the reasons why Pereira was appointed — because it was felt he was a man who could bring the team together, with a similar approach and outlook to his fellow Portuguese, Nuno. And it was as evident as ever as Forest secured a nerve shredding, dramatic 1-0 win on a memorable night on the banks of the Trent that was fizzing with emotion for numerous different reasons. Morgan Gibbs-White scored the goal that secured the fourth European semi-final in the club’s history — following on from the back-to-back European Cup wins of 1979 and 1980 and the 1984 UEFA Cup semi-final against Anderlecht, in which Forest were robbed of a place in the final by a referee who had accepted a bribe from the Belgian side. But the manner in which Forest celebrated that 12th minute goal — and again, as a group together after the final whistle had finally blown — said a great deal about the unity that remains within this group of players, as they twice held aloft a shirt that paid tribute to Elliot Anderson’s mother, Helen, who sadly passed away. — Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 16, 2026 “I said to my players at the end, in the dressing room, that it is an honour for me to be the manager of this group. Because they have character, they have quality. Sometimes you have the quality, but you are missing the character or the spirit,” said Pereira in his press conference. “When we feel that we are fighting for each other; when one of us is suffering, we are there to support, we are there to take care. That is why I feel very proud of my team. “Everyone plays with Elliot in their hearts. They think about him. We are here to help him. My condolences to the family.” In an interview with TNT Sport on the pitch, Gibbs-White was clearly on the verge of tears when he said: “It was a really emotional night. It is a shame because he is an incredible kid and no one deserves this. We are all with him.” Neco Williams, after producing another rampaging, tireless performance at left back, also said that the players had been desperate to win the game for Anderson, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Semi final babyy🫡🫡🫡That win was for you El a true inspiration to every one of us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FfQRqhZ8ei — Neco Williams (@necowilliams) April 16, 2026 It was a hugely memorable night, even if it was not always a memorable performance. A Porto side that had quickly been reduced to ten men by the sending off of Jan Bednarek — for a high challenge on Chris Wood in the eighth minute — still made Forest work hard for the 1-0 win that earned them a 2-1 success on aggregate. Forest spurned some decent opportunities to add to their lead in the first half but both sides hit the bar after the break, as Porto increasingly piled on the pressure. It was also a victory that might have come at a cost, with Chris Wood, Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi all going off with injuries. Pereira feels that Wood and Murillo have a chance of facing Burnley on Sunday. Hudson-Odoi, who left the ground on crutches with a muscle injury, may be sidelined for longer. But it was also a landmark victory for different reasons. It was Pereira’s first home success as manager, while it also extended Forest’s unbeaten run to six games. A small amount of momentum can go a long way, at this crucial stage of the campaign. Midlands rivals Aston Villa will provide high quality opposition in the semi-final, as Forest look to add a third star to the front of their shirt.  The two-legged semi-final will be among the biggest challenges they have faced in recent years. But the reward would be among the biggest too: a chance to return to Istanbul for the Europa League final. Before the first leg at the City Ground on Thursday April 30, Forest face two Premier League fixtures that could have gigantic ramifications, starting with Burnley’s visit on Sunday and followed by a trip to Sunderland next Friday. With Forest sitting in 16th place, three points ahead of Tottenham, who occupy the final relegation spot, a win over Burnley could arguably be more valuable than the one secured last night. Forest will put no pressure on Anderson to return, but they will hope to have him back available. The 23-year-old has been a giant figure in the Forest midfield this season.  The 267 ball recoveries he has made in the Premier League this season is more than any other player in Europe’s top-five divisions. But he also averages 1.5 key passes per-game, which is the joint-most in the Forest side, along with Hudson-Odoi (1.5), with Gibbs-White just behind on 1.4. He is the best all-round midfielder to have played for Forest side in generations. England fans will hope that he has the same level of impact at the World Cup. How much longer he remains a Forest player beyond the tournament remains to be seen. The only real question mark is over who will come up with the offer that convinces Forest — a club with a habit of selling well — to do business. Manchester City and Manchester United could spark a bidding war. But Anderson is also a human being, an occasionally quiet but always very well liked character and it was through that lens that he still managed to be an inspiration for his teammates, even without being on the pitch with them. Between now and May, that sense of unity and togetherness, will be as precious as ever. If Forest are to avoid relegation and continue their European adventure, they will have more chance of doing so as a family. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Nottingham Forest writer for The Athletic. Previously spent 25 years at the Nottingham Post. Unsurprisingly, Nottingham born and bred. Meet me by the left lion. Follow Paul on Twitter @nottmtails