Nottingham Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland VERDICT: European return falls apart as Ange Postecoglou’s side are undone by Danish set piece masters, writes JAMES SHARPE – so, are dark clouds looming over new boss already?
This was supposed to be a night for Nottingham Forest to savour. ‘For a new generation, our time has come,’ read the gigantic banners unfurled from the Trent End as the City Ground hosted its first European fixture in nearly three decades.
The last time such occasions came here, Forest’s vanquishers FC Midtjylland had not even been formed. Those supporters who had only ever experienced Forest’s European Cup triumphs from memories passed down through the generations, this was supposed to be one to enjoy.
That, however, was made much less possible as they had to watch their side labour in the same, predictable ways under Ange Postecoglou, whose record since taking over the club now reads: six games, zero wins.
Midtjylland set-piece expertise
Above the coffee machine at Midtjylland’s training ground a graph is pinned to the wall showing their goal difference from set-pieces. Not surprising for a club formerly owned by Brentford’s Matt Benham, a man who’s made a living from finding an edge. Well, the dead ball masters can add another couple to their tally.
How deadly, too, for Forest who have clearly inherited the same inability to defend them that Tottenham suffered under Postecoglou. No side since the start of 2023-24 have conceded more league goals from set pieces than those managed by the Australian with the unmarked header at the back post from a simple free-kick into the box against Sunderland the latest of them.
Ange Postecoglou stood with his hands on his head as FC Midtjylland scored their third – the Aussie is without a single win as Nottingham Forest boss
Forest look worse than they did under Nuno Espirito Santo. It’s six games, zero wins for Postecoglou
The Tricky Trees were unsurprisingly done by two set-pieces early on
It was surely destined, then, to end this way. Two goals, both from set-pieces. The first a simple free-kick curled into the box, flicked on at the near post and stabbed in at the back by Ousmane Diao after just 18 minutes. The second, six minutes later, a corner from the left, flicked on again at the near post – again – and prodded in from close range – again – this time by Mads Bech.
The handful of Midtjylland fans who had sneaked into the home end rejoiced, gesticulating and filming themselves on their phone as the furious Forest supporters demanded the stewards kick them out.
Diao almost had a second from another corner on 32 minutes when he was afforded a free header on the penalty spot but, this time, Mats Sels in the Forest goal could watch it drift past the far post.
All seven of FC Midtjylland’s shots in the first half were from set-pieces. The near two Expected Goals they racked up in the opening 45 minutes alone was most by any side in an entire Europa League match in the last five seasons.
Postecoglou has many, many things to sort out to turn Forest around. Defending the simplest of set pieces is top of the list. Pin it above the coffee machine.
All change for Ange
For the first time under Ange, he started in a back three with goalscorer Dan Ndoye starting at wing-back and Morgan Gibbs-White, back into the starting line-up, on the right.
For the first time since he moved to the City Ground, Postecoglou started with a back three
It didn’t work. Postecoglou brought back Murillo from injury to play as one of the back three but injured himself again after less than half an hour
It didn’t work. Postecoglou brought back Murillo from injury to play as one of the back three but he injured himself again after less than half an hour. That, at least, saw Forest switch back to their usual system.
There were flashes. Elliot Anderson showed glimpses of what he can do, nicking the ball one moment, taking it past his marker before nutmegging another defender and firing a shot wide.
A familiar goal
For all the new approach it was a shade ironic, and perhaps a little comforting for the suffering Forest fans, to see their equaliser come straight out of former manager Nuno Espirito Santo playbook.
Back to front, three passes, bish, bash, bosh. After Midtjylland cleared their lines, Forest fed the ball all the way back to Matz Sels, who launched the ball forwards into the right-hand channel for Morgan Gibbs-White to collect on the run, square it for Ndoye who had the easy job of tapping it in.
It was Dan Ndoye who bagged Forest’s solitary goal in a familiar style for the home fans
His strike was however far from enough for a struggling Forest side
It was about the only real chance Forest were able to create until Chris Wood had two late goals ruled out for offside and Gibbs-White had a shot saved.
When it finally clicks, declared Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of the game, Forest will be ‘unstoppable’. They could be waiting a while. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is not, however, a man who likes waiting.
Under pressure already?
Forget the mist rolling in from the Trent, it’s the dark clouds rumbling into view that Forest and Postecoglou have to be worried about.
No wins in six, including games against Championship side Swansea and newly promoted clubs Burnley and Sunderland. Just one point from the first two Europa League games.
Evangelos Marinakis looked anything but pleased as he watched on from the stands
Postecoglou needs to find results – and quick – if he’s to see the end of the season
Marinakis has made it clear: he wants Forest to win the Europa League. That’s the priority. Postecoglou rotating resting the likes of Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi against Sunderland told you that.
Postecoglou was able to prioritise last season. If you believe the narrative, he jacked in Tottenham’s league hopes in January to focus purely on Europe. He cannot do that this season.
That was fine last year, when the promoted teams were dreadful. Forest’s defeat here just a few days again made it clear that the same luxury does not apply. Postecoglou has to find a way of balancing both. He has to find a way to win a game first.
