Nottingham Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen live updates | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest return to the City Ground for their first home outing of the summer against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, with Oliver Glasner leading the hosts for the first time since replacing Vitor Pereira in July.

Kick-off is 7.45pm, with team news expected around 6.30-6.45pm. According to Nottingham Post, the friendly is the penultimate fixture, with Brest to visit on Sunday.

Glasner’s squad have had a demanding pre-season, facing Notts County, Blackburn Rovers, Vitoria de Guimaraes, Portimonense, Sporting, Udinese and Barcelona. Forest have won three, lost three and drawn one.

Leverkusen, guided to a first Bundesliga title a couple of years ago by now Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, finished sixth last season and will play in the Europa League group stage. They have won all five summer friendlies, most recently 2-1 against Sevilla with both goals from Patrik Schick. In June they appointed former Toulouse boss Carles Martínez Novell after spells under Erik ten Hag and Kasper Hjulmand last season.

Matchday facilities are adjusted for this friendly. The Fanzone is closed tonight and on Sunday, reopening for the Premier League opener against Leeds United on Saturday 22 August. The Megastore is open until kick-off and again for up to 45 minutes after full-time, while the Trent End and Museum Store open from 5.30pm BST.

Supporters could get a first look at £34m defender Ousmane Diomande, who was on the bench for Sporting’s opener after returning from the World Cup in the USA. His signing was only announced on Tuesday, so a start would be a surprise, a place among the substitutes seems more likely. Fellow centre-back Murillo has stepped up his return from injury and featured against Barcelona.

Source: Nottingham Post

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