Forest Make Europe—but It’s Far from a Celebration at the City Ground
Byl: IDNN Premier League Desk
Nottingham, England – It should’ve been a historic night of celebration, but instead, Nottingham Forest’s return to European football after 30 years was marred by a chaotic finish, a furious pitch invasion by owner Evangelos Marinakis, and renewed doubts about team management.
A dramatic 2-2 home draw with relegated Leicester City guaranteed Forest at least a top-seven Premier League finish, sealing their ticket to Europe. But tempers boiled over after striker Taiwo Awoniyi hobbled through the final minutes due to a medical staff error—and it was all too much for Marinakis.
“This is a day of celebration, yes, but frustration too,” the Greek billionaire said. “The misjudgement regarding Taiwo’s injury must not happen again.”
⚕️ Injury Confusion Sparks Boardroom Rage
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Awoniyi suffered a knock in the 80th minute.
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Forest had used up all substitutions.
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Medical team initially cleared him to continue—he limped for final 10 mins.
After the final whistle, Marinakis stormed the pitch and confronted manager Nuno Espirito Santo, in full view of cameras and fans.
“This is natural,” Marinakis later said. “It’s passion. But we must keep dreaming.”
🔙 From Championship to Continental Comeback
| Season | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Promoted to Premier League |
| 2025 | Guaranteed Top 7 Finish |
| 1995 | Last European Appearance (UEFA Cup) |
| 2025/26 | Set for European competition (TBD) |
It’s a full-circle moment for a club that last graced European nights three decades ago. But the tension reveals the ambition: Forest want more than just a return—they want to compete.
🎙️ Manager Nuno: “We’re Not Defending Well”
Nuno Espirito Santo tried to remain composed, but couldn’t hide his frustration with the team’s late collapse.
“Champions League was in our hands, now it’s not,” he said. “We must defend better. That’s never good.”
A late equalizer from Facundo Buonanotte for Leicester denied Forest all three points. With two games remaining, they’re now outsiders for a Champions League spot.
🧮 What’s at Stake
| Finish Position | Reward |
|---|---|
| Top 5 | UEFA Champions League |
| 6th-7th | UEFA Europa / Conference League |
| 8th or lower | Nothing |
IDNN Takeaway
Nottingham Forest are back in Europe, but the night exposed cracks behind the scenes. With Marinakis demanding elite standards and Nuno feeling the heat, the club’s future may hinge on how they finish the next two matches.
There’s celebration—but also tension in the trees.
