Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest - Europa League Preview
These two teams have faced each other only once before, during the 1984 UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Paul Hart scored at the City Ground, but Nottingham Forest progressed after Colin Walsh converted a penalty in extra time in Austria.
Nottingham Forest's Current Form
Under Sean Dyche’s leadership, Nottingham Forest is striving to improve in the Europa League. In Dyche's debut match, they secured a 2-0 victory over Porto at home, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus both scoring penalties. This boosted their points total to four, following a draw against Real Betis and a defeat to Midtjylland during Ange Postecoglou’s earlier management period. Currently, Forest sits 17th in the Europa League standings.
In the Premier League, Nottingham Forest remains without a win since the opening day, placing them in the relegation zone. However, they showed promise on Saturday by holding Manchester United to a 2-2 draw, with goals from Gibbs-White and Nicolò Savona, before conceding a late equalizer.
Sturm Graz’s Achievements
Sturm Graz enters the match as back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga champions, ending RB Salzburg’s decade-long dominance of ten consecutive titles.
“Can Nottingham Forest continue to climb up the Europa League standings?”
Match Outlook
The clash in Austria could be a significant night for Nottingham Forest as they look to build momentum in the Europa League against a strong and confident Sturm Graz side.
Author’s summary: Nottingham Forest aims to improve their Europa League standing against Austrian champions Sturm Graz, after mixed domestic and European performances under Sean Dyche.