Forest Progress Amid Second Half Confusion

A Europa League Semi-Final awaits Forest, but after Porto's half-time subs it seemed Vitor Pereira & the players on the pitch were never really on the same page.

In truth, Forest should really have sealed their progression by half-time on Thursday night, as they squandered a few chances that went agonisingly past the post. In another world, Forest may have escaped the second half injury free - but as we all know by now, that’s just not the Forest way.

Francesco Farioli is a really bright young manager, but it did seem in the first half he seemed very reluctant to change his side’s tactics after dropping Pablo Rosario into their backline, despite facing constant pressure from Forest during the first half

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At half-time though, he was brave and made 4 chances, completely switching up the game plan. Forest struggled to decipher what Porto were doing with a 3-4-2 formation, where the wider centre backs (particularly Rosario) would step into midfield. Without the ball, Porto would often leave both Moffi & William Gomes high, and despite instructions being bellowed by Vitor Pereira, the players on the pitch for Forest never quite seemed to get the message.

This first clip, in the 54th minute, shows Vitor Pereira losing his mind at how Forest have left themselves 2 v 2 at the back. What should really be happening here, is the full-back on the side opposite to the ball should be dropping back to support his two centre backs. In this case, it’s Ola Aina who is at fault here, and his manager let’s him know about it.

There’s also some responsibility here on the likes of Ibrahim Sangare & particularly Nicolas Dominguez. Both midfielders are in what we’d say are normal positions considering the game state - the Argentinian checks his shoulder here to scan, and should really spot this potential danger and drop back quicker.

Just a couple of minutes later, and Forest are back in a conventional flat back 4. Jair Cunha looks to push out and prevent a pass to a forward, but doesn’t quite get there in time. Murillo feels he has to come across to help fill the space, which he does quite well - but he & Jair Cunha collide and are both out of position for a quick throw in.