Famous night for Forest in season to largely forget

ByJess Anderson

BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest have not had an abundance of reasons to celebrate with their fans this season.

Separated from the Premier League's relegation zone only on goal difference and on their fourth manager of the season, things have been fairly bleak at the City Ground.

But in a packed away end at the MCH Arena in the small town of Herning, Denmark, Forest's travelling fans were given something to cheer about.

Vitor Pereira's side booked their place in a first European quarter-final since 1996, stunning Danish side Midtjylland to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit and triumph on penalties to reach the Europa League last eight.

This was a rare moment of celebration in what has otherwise been a torrid season.

Former Forest defender Luke Chambers summed it up when he said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Everything that could have gone wrong this season has gone wrong."

Victory in Denmark comes just five months after fans booed their side off against the same opponent in Nottingham, having watched them succumb to a 3-2 defeat under Ange Postecoglou.

But this triumph could mark the beginning of an upturn in form and fortune for Forest as the Europa League offers a glimmer of hope in a season to forget.

It was clear from Pereira's team selection on Thursday where the club's priorities are.

Few could say they were surprised by the nine changes after the Portuguese had hinted in his pre-match comments that surviving in the Premier League took precedence.

"It's crucial for the club to keep the position in the Premier League," he said. "Today is a chance for a lot of players that are working hard to have a chance."

It seemed that if that meant sacrificing the Europa League, so be it.

But the so-called second team stepped up, with first-team players being added to the mix only when legs started to tire.

James McAtee was a constant threat while midfielder Nicolas Dominguez showed real attacking prowess - his opener was the first goal Forest have scored in 235 minutes across all competitions.

Captain Ryan Yates' strike - his 24th Forest goal in all competitions on his 267th appearance - was sublime while the experience of Champions League winner Stefan Ortega was a calming presence in goal.

"I started to do the substitutions not because we are playing in a bad way, because we were playing a fantastic way. It was to balance the energy and to be ready for Sunday," Pereira said after the game.

"We proved today that we came here to compete and that we have good, talented players."

It was a marked difference from the situation just a few months ago, when then manager Sean Dyche made eight changes for the FA Cup tie against Wrexham then admonished his players when they went out on penalties.

"Considering the changes it just shows the strength in depth we have and the spirit we have," Yates told TNT Sports.

"At this stage of the season that's what it's all about. It's about showing that togetherness, fighting for each other. A lot of lads played today that haven't got many minutes and a lot took their opportunities and will be looking for more minutes for sure."

Chambers said: "The lads that started will be looking at the manager and saying 'we produced the goods tonight, can we get another opportunity at the weekend?'"

While the Europa League will continue to offer respite from an otherwise difficult season for Forest, the additional games present challenges.

Forest will take on Porto in the quarter-final on 9 and 16 April, welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground in between the two legs and then host Burnley the following weekend.

Winning games means positive momentum and that can only be a help when it comes to fighting to stay in the league.

But it also means more games and Pereira, who is set to take charge in his first European quarter-final, must find the balance between keeping his side in the top flight and managing the demands of competing in Europe.

"When we win it's different," Pereira said.

"The spirit is different, the energy is different and the boys deserve it because they are a fantastic group, very good players and with team spirit, character - we showed everything today.

"I don't have any doubt that we have the quality and we will compete to achieve our targets."

Yates added: "That winning feeling is special, you want to keep that momentum going.

"Momentum at this stage of the season is huge. We're not going to get ahead of ourselves. Recover now, focus on Tottenham now and keep building, keep getting those wins.

"It's not over yet, we're still dreaming."