Vitor Pereira insisted Nottingham Forest are fully driven to challenge for the Europa League trophy as Porto visit the City Ground for Thursday’s quarter-final second leg. The tie is level after the first game in Portugal, leaving Forest needing a strong home performance to reach a first European semi-final in over two decades.
Forest’s European push arrives while the club also fights to stay in the Premier League. Pereira’s team sit 16th in the table, three points above the relegation line, and meet Burnley next before travelling to Sunderland five days later. Managing energy and focus across those fixtures has become a central theme of Forest’s season.
The City Ground has not offered much comfort in Europe this season. Forest have already lost
three Europa League home matches, and no English team has ever been beaten four times at home in a single major European campaign. That record hangs over a club aiming to turn domestic concern into continental progress.
Forest’s recent European history on home soil also underlines the risk. This will be the club’s first major European quarter-final at the City Ground since a 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup. Forest have lost their last three home knockout matches in major European competitions, matching the total from their previous 21 such fixtures.
Despite those home struggles, Forest have travelled well in the Europa League this season. They have suffered only one defeat in seven away matches, winning three and drawing three. That resilience away from the City Ground contrasts with their European record at home, yet it offers proof the squad can manage tense continental occasions.
The first leg at the Estadio Do Dragao reflected that resilience and also brought drama. Forest went ahead after 11 minutes through William Gomes, before Porto levelled in unusual fashion when Martim Fernandes scored an own goal from an overhit back pass near the halfway line. Pereira now wants a more controlled and polished display in Nottingham.
Forest can take confidence from the most recent meeting with Porto at the City Ground. In the league stage in October, Forest beat the Portuguese side 2-0 in Nottingham. That is their only previous home match against Portuguese opposition in European competition, and it suggests the City Ground can still produce positive European nights when Forest execute their plan.
That optimism was also lifted by a key Premier League result, as Forest collected an important point against Aston Villa, potential Europa League semi-final opponents. Pereira says the squad’s unity is growing. "They are working very well. This is a very good group. We're missing some time together to put things in my way, but this is not an excuse," Pereira told reporters.
"This is a moment to look for our qualities, to be positive, to believe, and to go there and compete. I'm hungry to compete, I want to compete and prove myself every day. This is the message for us, for our supporters. Let's go. I cannot win games here [in the press conference]. On the pitch, we can win and prove ourselves. "
MD-1. pic.twitter.com/4kA9H4d9U5Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 15, 2026
Forest may have to cope without Elliot Anderson for the Porto clash. Pereira confirmed Anderson missed Wednesday’s training because of personal matters. "Today, he was not able to train," Pereira explained. "He has personal problems, and we have to respect him. We will see [about tomorrow], we need to wait. "
Pereira again highlighted the need to manage both the Europa League schedule and the Premier League relegation fight. "We will try to keep going," Pereira said ahead of another reunion with his former club. "We will try our best to keep going, with responsibility. Trying to find a way to compete in both games is the only way I know. Working, working, working and giving confidence to them [the players]; giving confidence to take risks. It is trying to be consistent. To face the two challenges, we need to be consistent. In this moment, I need to think about both games. It is important to balance energy and to face Burnley in our best condition because it will be a tough game again. Tomorrow, when we are looking at the first XI and the subs, we have to look at the time for everyone on the pitch, and the potential of extra time. If you go to extra time, it is another challenge. But I am positive. We know the game will be very tough. We need to play at a better level than we did in the first leg. "
Across Europe and at home, Forest’s season now hinges on narrow margins. Their strong away Europa League record, mixed City Ground results, demanding domestic run, and Anderson’s uncertain availability shape a crucial week. Pereira’s message of belief and consistency sets the tone as Nottingham Forest attempt to handle Porto, Burnley and Sunderland in quick succession.
