Togetherness drives Forest to Europa semi as survival battle continues | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest sealed a first European semi-final since 1984 with a tense 1-0 victory at the City Ground. Vitor Pereira hailed the togetherness behind the result.

“It was a really emotional night. It is a shame because he is an incredible kid and no one deserves this. We are all with him,” said Morgan Gibbs-White, speaking to TNT Sports.

Porto were reduced to 10 men in the eighth minute when Jan Bednarek was sent off for a high challenge on Chris Wood. Morgan Gibbs-White then struck in the 12th minute to clinch a 2-1 aggregate win.

Forest twice raised a shirt in tribute to Elliot Anderson’s mother, Helen, after the goal and again at full-time. Pereira offered condolences and praised the squad’s character, stressing the value of family support in adversity.

Chris Wood, Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi all went off injured. Pereira feels Wood and Murillo have a chance to face Burnley on Sunday, while Hudson-Odoi, who left on crutches with a muscle issue, may be sidelined longer.

Aston Villa await in the semi-final as Forest chase a third star on their shirt. The prize is a return to Istanbul for the Europa League final.

Before the first leg on Thursday, April 30, Forest host Burnley then visit Sunderland on Friday. They sit 16th, three points clear of Tottenham in the final relegation spot, and will not rush Anderson back, though they hope to have him available.

Source: NY Times