Pereira balances Forest's European ambitions with need to survive in the Premier League

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It was not, perhaps, the perfect balance — but it was definitely a delicate one that he struck, as he looked to maintain Forest’s competitiveness on two very different fronts. His starting line-up included only two players — in Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo — who you would be confident will start when Forest host Champions League hopefuls Villa at the City Ground on Sunday. Otherwise Pereira managed the minutes of his key players, as Forest fight a relegation battle that would have huge consequences, were they to lose it. But it did not come at the expense of their European ambitions, as a 1-1 draw in Portugal leaves Forest in a decent position before of the second leg next week. The 3,500 fans who made the journey from Nottingham via air, sea and road, remained in a party mood, with the sense that their European adventure might have more to offer yet. Before they play again in that competition next Thursday, Forest face a Villa side who are fourth in the Premier League table. Winning that would lift them to 35 points meaning Tottenham (on 30 points in 17th) and West Ham (29 points in 18th) remain below them whatever their results. That Murillo (45 minutes), Nikola Milenkovic (45), Morgan Gibbs-White (60), Neco Williams (29), Ibrahim Sangare (16) and Igor Jesus (45) all played no more than an hour  should help them against Villa, while Matz Sels, Elliot Anderson and Ola Aina were not been called upon at all. This was not a game that boasted many moments that will live long in the memory, beyond a truly bizarre own goal from young defender Martim Fernandes, which helped draw Forest level barely two minutes after the home side had taken the lead, when he played a blind back pass to his keeper and succeeded only in guiding the ball into the net. But in the wider context of the season, it was a performance that held no little significance. In the summer Forest invested £200million in 13 new additions, all with the sole intention of giving themselves the ability to pick two different line-ups, to compete domestically and in Europe.  For so long, under Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche, many of those new additions have failed to properly or at least consistently shine. That is not to say they all suddenly looked like world beaters in Porto. But Pereira managed to field a second string side at the Estádio Do Dragão and still get the job done, to some degree. And that is nothing to be sniffed at. Pereira is demonstrating a knack of managing his resources, in a crucial moment for Forest. The second part of the plan is as important as the first. The next challenge for Forest is for what you would expect to be something close to a full strength side to be competitive against Villa, who themselves named a strong starting XI in their 3-1 Europa League success in Bologna. Whether that gives Forest an advantage, when it comes to energy levels, remains to be seen.  But a win over Unai Emery’s side — no easy task — would maintain the recent steady momentum that Forest have begun to build, with victories in Midtjylland and Tottenham last month.  That could be vital with relegation rivals West Ham facing Wolves tonight (Friday), before Forest kick a ball again. A would put them level on points with the Reds. But as well as being able to keep key figures fresher for the survival push, Pereira’s team selection achieved other useful objectives. Chris Wood ended his 194 day absence with his first start since Postecoglou’s final game in charge, in October, following the knee cartilage injury that has ensured he has missed 23 Premier League games. The 34-year-old got another 45 minutes into his legs as Forest work to help him regain sharpness at the crucial point in the campaign. Stefan Ortega performed with quality and assurance in the Forest goal, making a number of crucial saves that again underlined his ability to step up, should Sels suffer an injury or drop in form. Defender Zach Abbott, 19, made his sixth Europa League appearance and let nobody down again. And three of the biggest summer additions, James McAtee, Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye all got another opportunity to find their feet in this Forest side in the same way as the likes of Orel Mangala, Sangare, Williams and even Wood did, with the benefit of a little time and patience, in the past. McAtee showed occasional flashes of the ability he, according to Forest sources, demonstrates consistently on the training ground, with a driven strike well saved. Club captain Ryan Yates’ efforts in midfield earned him some noisy acclaim from the Forest fans at the end. Forest have already beaten Porto once at the City Ground in this competition, with Dyche registering a 2-0 win in his first game in charge during the league stage. They might even have won this game, had a goal from Jesus not been ruled out, after he had beaten keeper Diogo Costa to the ball, before finding the back of the net as the Porto player rolled around on the turf. Pereira said afterwards that it was better he keep his opinions over the moment to himself. Pereira remains a hugely popular figure in Porto. He was presented with a personalised Porto shirt prior to kick-off and, afterwards, the clamour from the local journalists to quiz their former manager in his press conference was such that the English media did not manage to squeeze a single question in.  That is partly because, in 2011, Pereira was assistant to Andre Villas-Boas, as Porto won the Europa League. He will be held in similar regard if he can repeat that feat in the coming months. But there is little value in being in the Champions League and the Championship, at the same time. And if Pereira can keep finding the right balance, it would be a truly precious asset. 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