Fenerbahce v Nottingham Forest: Line-ups, stats and preview for Pereira’s first game in charge

Match Preview for Fenerbahce v Nottingham Forest

Fenerbahce coach Domenico Tedesco admits it is not easy to analyse Nottingham Forest due to the endless churn of head coaches at the City Ground.

Vitor Pereira will take charge of Forest for the first time in Istanbul tomorrow night for their Europa League play-off, first leg clash with Fener.

The Portuguese is the fourth permanent boss the club have had this season, following on from Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.

And Tedesco says that makes things tricky when preparing to face the Premier League strugglers.

Speaking at his press conference today, Tedesco said: “It is not easy to analyze a team that has just changed its coach. The system changes, but the players do not. 

“We looked at the players and their individual performances in the last two days. Each player has a certain template, they can’t change it. We focused on this kind of analysis.”

Pereira has generally preferred to play with three at the back throughout his managerial career but it remains to be seen how Forest line-up tomorrow night.

Tedesco added: “The good thing is that my players can play in a different system, they can play in any system. It may vary depending on the players we have, the opponent. Our team has this quality. Now we have become a more unpredictable team for opponents.”

Fenerbahce have already hosted English opposition in this season’s competition with Aston Villa winning 1-0 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium last month.

And Tedesco believes there are comparisons between the two Midlands clubs.

“Nottingham Forest is a similar team to Aston Villa, in terms of strength and energy,” said the former Belgium coach. “They do a lot through the middle, they play the long ball. They have a vertical understanding of football. It’s going to be a tough match.”

Pereira has signed an 18-month contract at Forest and will again work under volatile club owner Evangelos Marinakis with whom he won the league and cup double with Olympiacos in 2015.

He said: ”The reason why I accepted this job is that I believe in the quality of the players, because I believe in the potential of this club, the ambition of the president and because I believe in the league.

“This is the best league in the world, in my opinion, and because I really believe in our work, together we can increase our level.”

Team News for Fenerbahce v Nottingham Forest

Fener have added January signings N’Golo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi and Sidiki Cherif to their Europa League squad.

If Pereira does revert to his usual 3-4-3 system it could open the door for James McAtee to stake his case for a regular place in the team.

Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, Willy Boly (all knee) and Matz Sels (hip) are all injured. Murillo faces a late fitness test on a calf injury. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was a late addition to the squad.