Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira said he urged his players to “express themselves” before achieving a dominant victory at Fenerbahce in the first leg of their match. european league Elimination Round Playoff.
It was a dream start for the Portuguese manager in his first game in charge, as Forest claimed the biggest away win in their European history.
Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and captain Morgan Gibbs-White capped a dominant performance that could easily have produced an even bigger margin.
Pereira told TNT Sports: “We had the chance to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It’s just the break, we have to be consistent, the schedule is tight and difficult.
“Everyone must be prepared to help the team, that’s what I ask of them.
“Before coming I realized that the players have a lot of quality. They need results but they need to enjoy the game.
“If they enjoy the way they play, they can have a high level. They need organization and confidence. I asked them to express themselves on the field. They did.”
Forest currently sit just three points above the Premier League relegation zone and survival remains the club’s main objective this season.
However, progress in Europe would be a huge morale boost for a team playing continental football for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, having twice won the European Cup under Brian Clough.
They will host the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday, February 26 and are now big favorites to advance to the round of 16, where Midtjylland or Real Betis await them.
One of the main problems for Forest this season has been managerial turmoil, with Pereira becoming their fourth manager of the campaign following spells under Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche, who all favored different tactical approaches.
Despite that, Gibbs-White said the team quickly adapted to the 57-year-old’s ideas.
He said: “I felt like we had a real identity out there. We defended well and created a lot of chances.
“His message to us is that we will have a real identity in how we play and defend as a team. We have all accepted what he wants straight away.
“It’s about learning from each other and taking it game by game. We needed a clean sheet and a win, and today seemed like the perfect time.
“We have been through a difficult time, trust is the main thing and tonight the trust will increase. We just have to stay together and be the most complete team.”
