SEAN DYCHE RUES NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S PROFLIGACY AFTER DRAB GOALLESS DRAW
Over four decades ago, Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest departed Graz after another famous night in their storied European history.
That Uefa Cup quarter-final triumph will forever linger in the memories of the thousands of Forest supporters who witnessed it, but this return to the Austrian city came nowhere near that classic encounter of 1984.
Sean Dyche remains unbeaten in this season’s Europa League since his appointment and will be reflecting on a poor penalty miss from Morgan Gibbs-White and summer signings failing to take their chance.
In a dire contest devoid of many highlights, Gibbs-White’s spot kick was easily saved by Sturm Graz goalkeeper Oliver Christensen 10 minutes before the break.
Nicolás Domínguez, the Forest midfielder, struck the bar in the 90th minute and Dyche’s injury-ravaged squad never looked in danger of a surprise defeat.
After 18 Premier League games without a clean sheet, Dyche will regard the shutout as a positive but he was annoyed with his attacking players. Summer recruits James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo both produced underwhelming performances and were substituted before the end.
Dyche said: “I’m frustrated with that lack of killer edge to make sure we looked after ourselves and won the game. Goals change the feel of the game and we’ve got to take these golden chances.
“The fans can see the injury list and until the players are fit, it’s going to be a challenge. We are obviously threadbare at the moment and it is tricky. These are nice occasions with the club back in Europe but you want to seal it with a win.”
Forest will now prepare for what feels like a significant encounter at home against Leeds on Sunday. Chris Wood, last season’s leading scorer, and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi are expected to return from injury this weekend after missing out here.
Forest were without several other injured players, while England international Elliot Anderson was left at home after a heavy match schedule with club and country.
Their big chance to win was presented after Neco Williams’ cross was handled in the Graz penalty area by Emanuel Aiwu, but Gibbs-White’s effort from 12 yards was easily saved by Christensen.
Forest return to the Europa League later this month with a tie against Swedish club Malmo, in a rerun of the historic 1979 European Cup final.
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Nottingham Forest’s goalless draw away at Sturm Graz to an end. Thank you for joining us!
Forest’s remaining league-phase fixtures
- 27/10 – Malmo (H)
- 11/12 – Utrecht (A)
- 22/01 – Braga (A)
- 29/01 – Ferencváros (H)
Forest go closest
It was a cagey contest in Austria this evening, but Nottingham Forest certainly had the better of the chances to win the game.
James McAtee guided an effort just wide of the post inside the opening quarter of an hour while Ryan Yates had a header cleared off the line and Morgan Gibbs-White had a penalty saved before the break.
Sturm Graz had a goal ruled out by the linesman in the opening period when Maurice Malone was flagged offside after tapping home, but they struggled to threaten aside from this.
The second half was devoid of chances for either side but Forest nearly snatched it at the death when Nilocas Dominguez’s half-volley took a deflection and crashed off the bar.
Up next for Forest
Nottingham Forest return to action on Sunday with a crucial home clash against Leeds United in the Premier League.
Following the November international break, they travel to Anfield to face champions Liverpool before hosting Malmo in the Europa League.
Aston Villa host Maccabi
We will continue to bring you reaction to Nottingham Forest’s draw on this page, but you can follow the build-up to the powder-keg game between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv here.
A point for Forest
Despite the disappointment of missing the first-half penalty, this may turn out to be a valuable draw for Forest as they move on to five points at the halfway stage of the league phase.
As things stand, they drop down to 19th, but they remain just two points adrift of the automatic qualification spots.
Full time: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest win another corner but it comes to nothing and after an uneventful four minutes of added time, the referee brings this cagey contest to a close and it ends goalless in Graz.
90 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Abbott has been bright since his introduction and he wins a corner for Forest down their right, with his attempted cross into the area blocked.
Williams’ delivery is cleared to Dominguez on the edge of the box and he unleashes a spectacular half-volley that takes a tiny nick and crashes into the bar, above the top left corner. So close to the winner!
88 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
A final change now from Sturm Graz with Feyenoord loanee Mitchell coming on for Malic.
Can either side find a late winner? Based on the last 43 minutes I would guess not.
85 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
The ball is flicked onto Ndoye and despite being dragged to the ground, he manages to hoist the ball over his head into the right channel for Savona.
The right-back volleys the ball into the box and it ends up looking like an attempt on goal but he think he was trying to pick a team-mate out.
81 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Abbott’s first involvement is winning a foul down Forest’s right having taken a boot to the head from Karic.
It’s a good delivery from Williams but Milenkovic’s header glances well wide of the far post.
79 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Kalimuendo wins the foul but he stays down with cramp, a second Forest to player to suffer this issue tonight.
Dyche is making another change now but it will be Gibbs-White coming off for central defender Murillo. Is the Forest boss happy with a point?
A change coming from the home side too with Horvat making way for Hierlander.
Well, before play resumes Kalimuendo is going to have to make way because of the cramp and he is replaced by 19-year-old Abbott.
75 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Kayombo, who was fortunate to escape a booking a moment ago, does now see yellow for an arm into the face of Milenkovic.
After another foul from the hosts, Williams launches the free-kick into the Sturm Graz box but Sangare can only glance a header wide of the far post.
72 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Ndoye shoves Rozga to the floor down Sturm Graz’s left, giving the home side a free-kick in really promising position.
Horvat sends the set-piece to the back post and it’s volleyed back across goal by Malic but Stankovic’s acrobatic effort doesn’t come off and Forest scramble it away.
71 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Milenkovic sends a raking ball forward into the Sturm Graz area, looking to pick out the run of Kalimuendo but the forward fails to bring it down and the chance goes begging.
Down the other end and Kayombo is released into the home side’s left attacking channel but his low ball into the box is cut out. He has to pick out a team-mate there.
68 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Ndoye had been stripped and ready to go for a while and he is now finally coming on, in place of McAtee, who was struggling in the last few moments with cramp by the looks of it.
Can the winger inject some creativity into this second half? It’s in desperate need of some.
65 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Kayombo leaves a late one on Miklenkovic, with a fairly high boot that catches the defender’s ankle, and is perhaps fortunate to escape the booking.
McAtee makes a sliding challenge to intercept a ball forward and stays down, which will be a concern to Dyche. Despite the ball going for a throw, the hosts take it and carry on play with the Forest man on the floor.
Eventually he is back on his feet, perhaps a case of cramp for the former City player.
61 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gibbs-White lifts a ball over the top looking for the run of Kalimuendo but it runs through to Christensen and Forest are just struggling to create in this second period.
58 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
There is going to be a triple change from the hosts now, with Jatta, Lavalee and Kayombo coming on in place of Malone, Geyrhofer and Kiteishvili, who is not happy at all about getting taken off.
56 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Sturm Graz have a chance to counter down the centre of the pitch, but the final ball, slipped into the right of the area, is cut out by a sliding challenge from Morato.
Sangare is bundled to the floor by Hodl, giving Forest the chance to load the box, but McAtee’s outswinging delivery is headed away at the near post.
52 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Williams cuts in and whips a fabulous pass into Kalimuendo, who chests the ball into the left of the box before taking aim with the half-volley from close range.
But a Sturm Graz defender gets back to make a crucial block, sending the ball for a corner, which is cleared by the hosts.
50 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Sturm Graz looks to counter but Rozga is hauled to the floor by Yates and the Forest skipper becomes the first player to go into the book.
A couple of minutes later and the Sturm Graz forward is dragged down in an identical position by Savona this time, but the referee says no foul, interesting call.
48 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gibbs-White turns smartly just to the right of the box before laying the ball back to Yates on the edge of the area but after shifting the ball over to his left foot he slices his effort wide of the top left corner.
Moments later and Savona looks to pick out Gibbs-White in the right of the box with a delicate chipped ball but the midfielder can’t quite bring it under his spell.
46 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
We are back underway at the Merkur Arena with Forest kicking things off, going from left to right in this second period.
‘Forest have controllled the game’ - Antonio
Speaking on TNT Sports, former Nottingham Forest striker Michail Antonio has said:“I feel set-pieces have been a weakness for Nottingham Forest this season but today it’s been a strength.
“They’ve done very well and controlled the game.”
Frustration for Gibbs-White
Half-time: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Savona swings a dangerous ball into the box from the right and it’s flicked on, across the face of goal by Gibbs-White, but Kalimuendo can’t stretch out far enough to make contact.
Moments later and Yates gets a talking to from the referee for a robust challenge on Kiteishvili. There won’t be time for another attack as the half-time whistle is blown after two minutes of added time.
45 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Victor is tested once again from the edge of the box and, once again, he parries the strike into a dangerous area, but fortunately for the Forest goalkeeper, Williams is there to clear.
Down the other end and Forest launch a free-kick into the box but the home side can head away.
43 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Williams plays a wonderfully incisive pass into Dominguez, who made a forward run into the box, but the midfielder is unconvincing as he looks to skip past Aiwu.
Moments later and Gibbs-White dances through a couple of challenges in midfield to get a run at Sturm Graz’s back four but his pass out wide towards McAtee is cut out.
39 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
McAtee is found in another dangerous position, towards the right, but his low strike from the corner of the area is comfortable for Christensen.
Penalty miss! Gibbs-White squanders chance for opener from 12 yards
Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0 Williams has been Forest’s main threat this evening and his efforts have now paid off, with the wing-back’s cross blocked by the arm of Aiwu, earning his side the spot-kick.
It’s Morgan Gibbs-White to step up but the midfielder’s low strike, aimed towards the bottom right corner is saved by Christensen.
Yates looks to follow up the effort as he latches onto the ball six yards out but he goes down and is appealing for another penalty. There is a brief VAR check but there won’t be a second spot-kick.
32 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Kiteishvili’s effort that led to the offside goal was Sturm Graz’s first shot of the night, it would have felt harsh on Forest but it remains goalless.
It seems to have given the hosts a bit of confidence, though, knocking the ball around more confidently and making their fans even louder.
Disallowed goal! Sturm Graz denied opener by flag
Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0 (Malone) Sturm Graz think they have the lead but it’s ruled out by the linesman and Forest are let off the hook.
Kiteishvili picks the ball up in a promising position towards the left and cuts inside before firing a low effort on goal from the edge of the box. Victor makes the save but parries it straight into the path of Malone, who can tap home from close range.
But the flag goes up to cut the celebrations short and replays show it was just about the correct call, with the forward’s foot a fraction ahead of Williams.
24 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Morato gets across to Hodl, who is breaking down Sturm Graz’s left, and manages to win the throw-in before giving the midfielder a gentle shove in the back for good measure.
The home fans aren’t happy and neither is Hodl, but he reluctantly takes Morato’s offer of an apologetic handshake.
21 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest earn the free-kick just inside the Sturm Graz half and after an initial headed clearance, Dominguez goes for the first-time half-volley from the edge of the box but he was stretching slightly and his effort sails over.
18 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
The cross comes into the box from Forest’s right and Williams is waiting at the back post to direct a volley on goal but his effort is blocked and the flag goes up anyway.
16 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Williams wins the corner for Forest, with Malic blocking his attempted cross into the area. It’s the Welshman who takes the set-piece and it’s sent deep towards the back post.
Morato nods it back across goal and Yates sends a header goalbound from close range, past the goalkeeper, but it’s cleared off the line by Malic.
14 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest combine superbly to release Williams down their left-hand side once more. The move comes to nothing with the defender turning back, but it feels like he is going to be an outlet for them this evening.
Moments later and Dominguez squanders the chance to slide Gibbs-White into the area, putting too much weight on his pass.
11 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
A diagonal ball is played towards Williams on Forest’s left and after a bounce, the wing-back gets to it first, nodding the ball past Malic towards the byline.
Williams looks to drive into the area but is chopped to the floor by the Sturm Graz defender, just before he crossed the line into the box and the free-kick is given.
Dominguez looks to be lining up a cross but instead plays it along the floor to McAtee just inside the box. The former City man looks to guide a low strike into the bottom corner but it rolls just wide of the right post. Inches away from the opener!
8 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
McAtee picks up a nice pocket of space on the right of Forest’s midfield before cutting in but his inswinging cross has far too much on it and floats behind for a goal-kick.
7 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Sturm Graz have settled more quickly than their opponents in these opening stages, enjoying more of the ball and looking more threatening going forward.
A ball is pinged into the feet of Kiteishvili on the edge of the box and he looks to get on the turn to dart into the area but his first touch lets him down, running through to Victor in goal for Forest.
The home side’s playmaker claims he was shoved to the floor by Milenkovic but it would have been very soft and he would not have got to the ball anyway.
5 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Savona lines up the long throw down Forest’s right, but he seems to release it a bit too early, with the ball looping high without enough distance.
Gibbs-White gives away the foul on the edge of the box as the hosts look to clear.
3 mins: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Sturm Graz pose an early threat down their right with Malone released into the channel but Morato sticks with him well and makes a nicely-timed sliding challenge to stifle the attack.
The home fans are in really good voice, it’s going to be a testing atmosphere for Sean Dyche’s side this evening.
1 min: Sturm Graz 0 Nottingham Forest 0
We are underway at the Merkur Arena with the hosts kicking things off, going from left to right in this opening period.
Kick-off approaching
The teams have emerged from the tunnel at the Merkur Arena and we are just moments away from kick-off in Graz!
‘Let’s see what Kalimuendo can do’ - Antonio
Discussing Arnaud Kalimuendo’s inclusion in the starting line-up, former Nottingham Forest striker Michail Antonio told TNT Sports: “One thing in football, when you get your opportunity you have got to take it.
“Arnaud Kalimuendo has got the opportunity to do that. It is his time to go out there and show what you can do. Let’s see what he can do today.”
Forest ‘need to adapt’ to absentees
Douglas Luiz, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood are among those to miss out for Nottingham Forest tonight through injury, while Elliot Anderson has also not travelled with the squad.
Discussing Forest’s injury issues, former Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward has told TNT Sports: “It is always going to be a blow when you have some of the biggest players missing, but they need to adapt and they need to be together tonight.
“They have enough depth in the squad to deal with what’s in front of them.”
Opportunity for Forest to dominate
Sturm Graz rank bottom for successful passes, passing accuracy, open play sequences with 10+ passes, passes per sequence and average sequence time in this season’s Europa League.
Williams urges Forest to ‘kick on’
Discussing Forest’s start in the Europa League, full-back Neco Williams told the BBC this week: “It’s been a mixed set, obviously very different opponents, but we are ready for it.
“Three games in now, there’s no time to adjust to the games, teams and the atmosphere. We’ve really got to kick on now, and I think it’s so important that we start ticking off these points because we don’t want to look back on regret of coming to places like this and not performing and not getting any points.
“This is not a tournament that we just want to be a part of. We are in this tournament to win it, and we all believe that we will as long as we are performing and doing everything the manager says, tactics-wise, sticking to the game plan, and just giving it our all.
“We know as a team that we can do better, and we will do better. It’s just about the basics for me - you have to work hard, you have to give absolutely everything out on the pitch.”
Tonight’s game ‘massive’, says Antonio
Discussing tonight’s game on TNT Sports, former Nottingham Forest striker Michail Antonio has said: “It is massive. Nottingham Forest started off well beating Porto, and had a good result at the weekend against Manchester United.”
British teams in action tonight
Aston Villa are hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League tonight, kicking off at 20:00, while Crystal Palace are in action in the Conference League, welcoming AZ Alkmaar to Selhurst Park.
Celtic’s Europa League tie away at Midtjylland gets underway at 17:45, while Rangers are hosting Roma at 20:00.
Key figures missing for Forest
There are a host of key names missing for Forest this evening, either through injury, suspension or exclusion from their Europa League squad.
Igor Jesus’ suspension is a blow for Sean Dyche, with no player scoring more in the competition this season than the Brazilian, who has netted three times.
Meanwhile, Elliot Anderson, who has not travelled, has created the most chances of any player.
Dyche’s start at Forest
Sean Dyche’s tenure at the City Ground got off to the perfect start with the 2-0 win over Porto in this competition.
But he has so far failed to add a second victory, with a 2-0 defeat away at Bournemouth being followed by a 2-2 draw at home against Manchester United.
Dyche’s men looked set for victory on Saturday after turning the game on its head in three second-half minutes, but an Amad Diallo equaliser 10 minutes from time denied them all three points.
One previous tie
Sturm Graz and Nottingham Forest have met previously in European football, with the English side winning 2-1 on aggregate during a UEFA Cup quarter-final tie in 1983-84.
‘We want to come here and win’ - Dyche targets three points
Ahead of tonight’s European tie and with Nottingham Forest currently sat 19th in the Premier League, manager Sean Dyche told the BBC this week: “We can see what’s happening in the Premier League; there’s work to do there.
“There is in this, of course, everyone wants to be in Europe, including Nottingham Forest. We want to be taking these games on, and it is important that we get a good performance out of the players. We want to come here and win, of course.
“Everybody wanted Nottingham Forest back in Europe, and there is a lot of good feeling about Nottingham Forest and their history in Europe, and we certainly want to give a good show of ourselves.
“You’ve got to make players aware of the opposition; we have to be aware of that. But really, it still comes down to us. These players play against very good players week in week out in the Premier League, arguably one of the most powerful leagues in the world.
“Of course, Europe feels different, and we’ve got to handle that and make sure we deliver our performance because if we do that, then we can take care of the results.”
How things look coming into tonight
Having picked up four points from their opening three matches in the Europa League, Nottingham Forest are 17th in the league phase standings coming into tonight’s game.
It means they are currently in the play-off spots, but they are just two points off the automatic qualification places and only one point above the elimination zone.
And that is where their opponents this evening currently sit, having claimed victory in one of their opening three games – a 2-1 win over a Russell Martin Rangers side, sandwiched by defeats against Midtjylland and Celtic.
So, despite 10 places separating the two teams, it is just one point between them.
Slow start under Postecoglou
Under Ange Postecoglou, Forest claimed just one point from their first two games in Europe this season. The Premier League side drew 2-2 away with Real Betis before losing 3-2 against Midtjylland at home.
The latter result was a notable one in the pressure cranking up on Postecoglou, with his own fans chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the end of the game.
Forest claim historic win over Porto
Nottingham Forest claimed their first win in Europe in 30 years last time out as they beat Porto 2-0 at the City Ground.
In what was Sean Dyche’s first match in charge, penalties in either half from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus sealed the three points.
It ended Porto’s unbeaten run to the season, with the visitors having won 10 of their 11 matches this campaign before facing Forest.
Those teams in full
Sturm Graz: Christensen; Malic, Aiwu, Stankovic, Geyrhofer, Karic; Horvat, Hodl, Kiteishvili; Rozga, Malone.
Subs: Khuduakov, Bignetti, Oermann, Lavalee, Kayombo, Grgic, Hierlander, Beck, Jatta, Mitchell.
Nottingham Forest: John; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Sangare, Dominguez, Yates; McAtee, Kalimuendo, Gibbs-White.
Subs: Willows, Ndoye, Boly, Abbott, Whitehall, Thompson, Sinclair, Hammond, Sels, Murillo.
How Sturm Graz line up
There are four changes to the Strum Graz side that lost to Rapid Vienna on the weekend, with Rozga, Geyrhofer, Hodl and Aiwu coming into the team.
Dyche makes seven changes
Sean Dyche makes seven changes to the team that drew with Manchester United on the weekend, with Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nikola Milenkovic and Nicolo Savona the players to keep their places.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson has not travelled for the game tonight.
Forest team news - Dyche to make ‘changes’
After Douglas Luiz was forced off in Saturday’s draw with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche said this week the midfielder “is going to receive treatment”.
He added: “That is not likely to be a quick situation; we are waiting on more news.”
Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi will also miss out this evening, with Dyche saying: “Callum is hopefully going to be slightly easier. He won’t be for this game, but we will see how it goes for the weekend.
“The international break is going to be important for a few players, to give them more of a chance to get fit. Woody (Chris Wood) is making good progress.”
Igor Jesus is suspended this evening, while Omari Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jair Cunha are not part of the Europa League squad.
“We will have to look at changes and rotating,” said Dyche.
“I try to win every game, everyone will know that. I’m not one for rotating all the time, but on this occasion I think we have got to be careful with where we’re going to make sure our players are fit and ready to deliver.”
Forest target second win on the spin in Europe
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest from the Europa League as Sean Dyche’s side look for their second successive win in the competition following their historic victory over Porto.
In what was Dyche’s first match in charge at the City Ground, Forest claimed their first European victory in 30 years, thanks to penalties from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus against an in-form Porto side, previously unbeaten this season. The win took Forest up to mid-table of the league phase standings, having drawn their opening match of the tournament away at Real Betis, before losing at home to Midtjylland.
But the victory over Porto remains the only triumph of Dyche’s early weeks at the helm, with a defeat away at Bournemouth being followed by a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at the City Ground on Saturday.
The hosts looked set for victory after turning the game on its head in three second-half minutes, but an Amad Diallo equaliser 10 minutes from time denied them all three points. It means Forest remain firmly in the relegation zone of the Premier League in 19th spot, four points adrift of safety.
Dyche will be hopeful, though, of continuing his winning start in Europe, with tonight’s opponents winless in their last four matches in all competitions, and currently in the elimination zone of the Europa League standings. Sturm Graz have registered a win in the competition, but it was against a Russell Martin Rangers side, and it has been sandwiched by defeats against Midtjylland and Celtic.
Victory tonight, however, would see them overtake Forest, who will be missing key figures through injury, including Douglas Luiz, Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi, while other notable names, including Omari Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jair Cunha, are not part of their Europa League squad.
2025-11-06T20:00:52Z