Nuno: Forest’s Final Five Matches are Career-Defining in UCL Quest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has described their remaining five Premier League matches as the most crucial of the players’ careers, as the team fights for a coveted Champions League qualification spot.

With a potential return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in over 40 years within reach, Forest face stiff competition from several other top Premier League teams.

While Liverpool have already secured the title and Arsenal hold a comfortable second place, the battle for the remaining Champions League berths is tight, with only five points separating third-placed Newcastle and seventh-placed Aston Villa.

Manchester City and Chelsea are also strong contenders for a top-five finish, which guarantees Champions League football.

Forest currently sit in sixth place with a game in hand and will host Brentford at the City Ground on Thursday, aiming to bounce back from their recent FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City.

Despite a strong Premier League run, consecutive defeats earlier in April were a setback, but they regained momentum with a victory over Tottenham last week.

Nuno emphasised the significance of every remaining game for multiple teams in the Champions League race.

He highlighted the advantage of playing at home with their fans and reiterated the team’s unwavering belief throughout the season, emphasising their ability to react to both positive and negative results.

He stressed that they are approaching each of the final matches as the most important of their careers.

Forest last participated in the Champions League (then the European Cup) in the 1980-81 season, where they were the reigning two-time champions under legendary manager Brian Clough.

Nuno believes his current squad, which finished 17th last season, still controls its destiny in this crucial final stretch.

He stated their immediate focus is solely on the Brentford match, emphasising that their fate lies in their own hands.

Following the Brentford game, Forest’s final fixtures include Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham, and Chelsea.