Nottingham Forest were defeated 3-2 by FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.

In the 18th minute, FC Midtjylland took the lead against the run of play. Nottingham Forest started the match very well and were threatening in the final third, but once again, poor defending cost them. A set piece was whipped into the Forest penalty area by Midtjylland, and instead of clearing the ball, the hosts let the ball bounce, which allowed Mads Bech to flick the ball to the back post to Ousmane Diao, who was right on the line and just tapped the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The visitor’s lead lasted just four minutes, as Dan Ndoye equalised with a brilliantly worked goal. The move started all the way back with Matz Sels, and the Belgian played a perfect long ball to Morgan Gibbs-White on the wing, and without even taking a touch, he put the ball across to Ndoye, who slotted his finish into the bottom corner.

The hectic start to the match continues, as pretty much straight after Forest’s equaliser, Midtjylland retook the lead. Similar to Midtjylland’s first goal, the Forest defence was once again pretty poor, and they failed to clear their lines after a pretty simple corner ball was put into the box. The corner resulted in a sloppy goalmouth scramble, and the ball was eventually put into the back of the net by Bech from close range for the Danish side to regain their lead.

Forest continued to really struggle throughout the rest of the first half with corners and just crosses into the box in general. The home fans were becoming increasingly frustrated, as although their side looked somewhat threatening in the final third, pretty much every time Midtjylland pumped the ball forward, they looked like they were going to score.

The first half came to a close with Forest 2-1 down, and Ange Postecoglou’s men were booed off the pitch.

In the 78th minute, just shortly after coming on, Chris Wood had the ball in the back of Midtjylland’s net, but his goal was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up. It was Elliot Anderson who was offside as Neco Williams fired a shot at the goalkeeper from range, making his ball across the box for Wood to turn it in invalid.

The big striker had the ball in the back of the net yet again, just two minutes later, but once again, it was chalked off due to an offside. This time, it was Wood who was offside, not anyone else in the build-up to the goal.

Despite Forest enjoying a much better second half in the final third, in the 89th minute, Midtjylland put the match to bed and made it 3-1. The Danish side won the ball back in their own half and launched a quick counter-attack up the pitch, and the substitute Valdemar Byskov slotted a calm finish past Sels to secure his side all three points.

The late drama continued after Byskov’s goal, as Forest were awarded a late penalty. Wood stepped up to take the penalty, and he calmly slotted it past Olafsson to give his side hopes of a late comeback.

Despite having late hopes of a comeback, Midtjylland saw the match out and took all three points with a 3-2 victory.

Match Highlights

Nottingham Forest Player Ratings

GK: Matz Sels – 6.5/10

Had a huge part to play in Forest’s goal as he started the attack with a brilliant pass up to Gibbs-White. Sels looked uncomfortable all evening when Midtjylland played crosses into his area.

RWB: Dan Ndoye – 8/10

Took his first half goal very well and continued his positivity throughout the match, regularly threatening with his pace up and down the right flank.

CB: Nikola Milenkovic – 5.5/10

Milenkovic was one of several Forest defenders to have uncomfortable matches. The big Serbian, despite his height and size, struggled to deal with Midtjylland’s balls into the box and failed to effectively clear his lines at times.

CB: Morato – 6/10

Saw more of the ball than any other Forest player, but didn’t really produce anything of significance. Like his fellow defenders, Morato also struggled when Midtjylland played direct and fired balls into the box.

CB: Murillo – 6/10

The Brazilian played just 28 minutes of the match as he was forced off the pitch with an injury, specifically holding his thigh.

LWB: Neco Williams – 7/10

Played with plenty of energy up and down the right flank, but his decision-making was poor at times.

CM: Ibrahim Sangare – 7.5/10

A solid midfield performance from the Ivorian, especially in the second half. Sangare was physically dominant in the midfield and good in possession, but he also threatened in the final third, which may have surprised people.

CM: Elliot Anderson – 8/10

Once again, Forest’s best player. In a match where his side lacked creativity and were under pressure, the Englishman took the game by the scruff of the neck and was excellent between both boxes.

RW: Morgan Gibbs-White – 7.5/10

Provided a superb assist for Ndoye’s goal and remained a lively threat in the final third throughout the match due to his intelligent movement.

ST: Igor Jesus – 5.5/10

Really struggled at times up front on his own. The Brazilian didn’t get much service, but he also didn’t do enough to get the better of Midtjylland’s defenders.

LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6.5/10

Struggled to get the better of Mbabu, but once he came off, Hudson-Odoi really got into the match and threatened with his pace on the wing and his crosses into the box.

SUB: Nicolo Savona – 6.5/10

Replaced Murillo well, and played with plenty of energy up and down the right flank.

SUB: Chris Wood – 8/10

Instantly made Forest more dangerous in the final third. Wood scored from the penalty spot, but also had the ball in the back of the net on two other occasions.

FC Midtjylland Player Ratings

GK: Elias Olafsson – 7.5/10

Produced some really solid saves and made his side very tough to beat. Although he was beaten, Olafsson couldn’t have really done much more to stop Ndoye’s goal.

RWB: Kevin Mbabu – 7.5/10

Managed to keep Hudson-Odoi quiet for most of the match and also threatened the Forest back line at times with his pace and delivery into the box from out wide.

CB: Ousmane Diao – 8/10

Excellent defensively and also managed to get on the scoresheet. Diao played very aggressively and with plenty of intensity, and Forest players rarely got the better of him.

CB: Martin Erlic – 7/10

Produced plenty of important defensive actions for his side, such as blocks and clearances, which made them hard to break down.

CB: Mads Bech – 8.5/10 (Man of the Match)

The most important player on the pitch. The centre-half not only defended incredibly well, but he also managed to get an important goal and assist to his name.

LWB: Victor Bak – 6/10

Struggled to deal with Gibbs-White at times and didn’t really do much in the final third.

CM: Philip Billing – 7.5/10

Defensively excellent and also effective in the final third. Billing made himself a presence when Midtjylland played balls into the box, but he also worked incredibly hard in the midfield.

CM: Denil Castillo – 7/10

Didn’t have to do much in possession, but out of possession, he stayed organised, worked hard and pressed Forest very well.

RW: Junior Brumado – 6/10

Had a good battle going on with Williams, but he came out second best. Brumado tried his best to make things happen, but his end product lacked.

ST: Gue-Sung Cho – 6/10

Held the ball up well at times and was a nuisance for the Forest defence to deal with, but never got a chance at goal.

LW: Aral Simsir – 7/10

A big creative outlet for Midtjylland. The Dane put plenty of really good crosses into the box, which troubled the Forest defence and goalkeeper.

SUB: Dario Osorio – 7/10

Provided an assist for Byskov’s late goal.

SUB: Han-Beom Lee – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Pedro Bravo – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Valdemar Byskov – 8/10

Didn’t have much involvement outside of his late goal, but he won’t care as that is what won his side the match.

SUB: Franculino – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.