Great Nottingham Forest

Arne Slot ADMITS : IT'S VERY HARD TO WIN FOREST

"We couldn't ask for more," said manager Arne Slot, as his Liverpool team drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest. Liverpool are still comfortably top of the Premier League. Meanwhile, the draw with Liverpool helped Forest consolidate their position in the top four.

Nottingham Forest (right) consolidated their position in the top four after holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw

Quite a surprise, for a Forest who finished last season in 17th place - that is, right on the relegation line. Forest had just returned to Premier League level the previous season, and everyone thought that Forest's most realistic goal this season was to try to stay in the league. It is unlikely that Forest will do what Leicester did in the 2015-2016 season (surprisingly winning the Premier League). But those who like to watch surprises in football can absolutely expect miracles from coach Nuno Espirito Santo's team this season: winning a ticket to the Champions League.

On the one hand, coach Slot asserted: a draw with Forest is already an achievement. According to Arne Slot, that opponent is too solid, very difficult to play, and always plays effectively at home. On the other hand, as Slot said before the match: the start of the second half of the season (ie now) is the time for observers to make the most accurate assessment of which teams are formidable, while the assessment at the beginning of the season is only "virtual" value.

Everyone has clearly seen the formidable strength of Liverpool this season - from the Premier League to the Champions League. Yet Forest have now taken 4 points (while Liverpool only have 1 point) in 2 direct confrontations with the top team. Forest are the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League. That was also the only loss in the national championship of coach Arne Slot in 2024 (including when he coached Feyenoord and when he moved to lead Liverpool).

ALWAYS LEAD AND PLAY EFFICIENTLY

"People play football, not money plays football" - Coach Nuno said about the "cheap" value of Forest's squad. Goalkeeper Matz Sels, bought from Strasbourg a year ago for only 5 million pounds, made many excellent saves against Liverpool's famous strikers. Striker Chris Wood, center-back Murillo or full-back Ola Aina all played very well, although they never made a splash in the transfer market. Forest's starting lineup against Liverpool cost a total of 110 million pounds - equivalent to only one star in other teams such as Declan Rice (Arsenal), Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

Nuno has successfully built a team-based style of play. Forest always enters the game with enthusiasm, with a strong competitive spirit. They often open the score, and when Forest is behind, it is very difficult for their opponents to win back. In 21 rounds played, Forest opened the score in 16 matches. They only lost back once and were equalized 5 times. Forest's style of play has absolutely no room for fancy. They always keep and pass the ball very little, often even "ranking last" in these two notable technical indicators. But Forest progresses very quickly and effectively every time they have the ball. This is the number 1 team in the Premier League this season, considering the gap between the actual number of goals and points compared to the "expected" number of goals and points (xG and xP). No one can do it like Nuno and his team!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuyet-voi-nottingham-forest-185250116215503734.htm