Vítor Pereira’s Impressive Debut: Nottingham Forest Triumphs Against Fenerbahce

omidbasir- Vítor Pereira has maintained an impressive record, never losing his inaugural match at a new club in 15 attempts, and he continued this streak with Nottingham Forest’s commanding win at Fenerbahce.

Prior to the match, Pereira encouraged his players to “express themselves,” which they did spectacularly in a match that marked their largest away victory in European competition history.

The dominant performance featured goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White, and it could have resulted in an even greater margin of victory, as Pereira noted in his comments to TNT Sports: “We had chances to score two more goals. It was a very good result. However, it is only half-time. We must remain consistent, especially given the tight and challenging schedule ahead. Everyone must be ready to support the team, which is my expectation.”

Pereira acknowledged the skill level of his players, stating, “They have a lot of quality. They need results but also to enjoy the game. If they find joy in their performance, they can reach high levels. What they need is organization and confidence. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch, and they did.”

Currently sitting fourth from the bottom in the Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone, Nottingham Forest’s primary goal is to maintain their top-flight status. However, advancing in their first European campaign since 1995-96 would significantly enhance confidence within a club historically successful in the European Cup under Brian Clough.

With the second leg against Fenerbahce scheduled to take place at the City Ground on Thursday, February 26 (20:00 GMT), Nottingham Forest is now a strong favorite to progress to the last 16, where they would likely face either Midtjylland or Real Betis.

Pereira’s successful debut as manager comes during a challenging season, marked by frequent changes in management. He is the club’s fourth manager this season, following Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche, each of whom implemented different tactical approaches.

Captain Morgan Gibbs-White remarked on the team’s adaptation to Pereira’s vision, saying, “I felt we had a real identity on the field. We defended well and created numerous chances. His message is that we will establish a true identity in how we play and defend as a team. We have all embraced his philosophy from the outset.”

He further emphasized the need for teamwork and resilience, stating, “It’s about learning from one another and taking it game by game. We needed a clean sheet and a victory, and today felt like the perfect moment. We have been experiencing a difficult phase; confidence is paramount, and this win will undoubtedly help us. We must stay united and strive to be the most complete team possible.”