Real Betis (A) 24/09/25

Real Betis 2-2 Nottingham Forest 

Bakambu 15'             Igor Jesus 18', 23'

Antony 85'

29 years ago, Forest fans lined the streets of Munich as they played their first leg tie against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup. After a narrow 2-1 defeat, the Reds were heading back to the City Ground to overturn the deficit. Unfortunately, Bayern ran away it with coming out 5-1 winners to win 7-2 on aggregate. That was Forest’s last appearance in a European competition. Endless years of suffering; dropping down to the Championship and even League One. When Steve Cooper managed to secure promotion back to the Premier League after a long 23 years away, fans thought they were finally back where they belong. Never could they believe their team would be jetting off around Europe again. First up a trip to Seville to face Real Betis.

This is the first ever meeting between the two sides. The hosts have a good record in UEFA club competition league phases (and group stages) having lost only one of their previous 18 home games. However, when Los Verdiblancos have faced English opponents on their last nine previous occasions in major European competitions, they only recorded one victory.

The players walked out of the tunnel to a booming atmosphere before they all stood in a line waiting for the Europa League anthem. Cameras pointed up in the corner where all the red shirts were being hosted. Tears were flowing, hairs were standing up and everyone was taking in the moment. Forest are back.

Forest had some good early possession looking to settle in the boisterous atmosphere. They started brightly, getting forward at many opportunities. Unfortunately, out of nowhere, they found themselves behind. Valentin Gomez managed to drift past a few red shirts before playing a long ball over the top for Bakambu. He took the ball wide as he was up there on his own. Morato blocked any danger but Antony recycled for the hosts. He cut inside before passing to Bakambu who turned back towards goal and fired past Sels.

The Reds were ready with a response. Just three minutes later, Forest played some lovely football to get themselves up the field. Douglas Luiz found Gibbs-White in space out on the right. He took a touch before playing a low ball across the box, hoping Igor Jesus would tap into an empty net. The Brazilian did just that. Some might’ve been shocked he was picked over Wood but he was proving why the manager was right to start him.

Things went from good to great for the visitors and Igor Jesus. Douglas Luiz whipped in a corner from the left which found Forest’s number 19. He was unchallenged and headed down towards goal where the bounce took it past the Betis ‘keeper. He is now one of five players to score two or more goals in each of their first two starts for a Premier League club in all competitions.

The visitors were really upping the tempo now, looking to further increase their lead. Zinchenko  sent in a corner from the right side which evaded everyone at the front post. Hudson-Odoi was at the back-post and he stuck out a foot to try and tap into an open net but his effort could only strike the post. Frustration was starting to build for Betis as they could not get a foothold in the game, having to see off many Forest chances. The hosts would’ve been glad to see off that first half as Forest had 12 efforts on goal with 3 being deemed as ‘big’ chances, as well as having 30 touches in the Betis penalty area.

Betis came out in the second half more positively. They were dominating the game but they didn’t manage to create any clear-cut chances to show for it. Despite this, Forest still looked comfortable, seeing off any goal threats and Sels not really being called into action. The game was starting to get a bit scrappy and the Reds were starting to live dangerously as the heat was showing its impact. Sangare’s lose pass was latched onto by Antony who dribbled towards goal. He thought he was fouled by Anderson but his teammate Riquelme recycled before passing to Fornals. He struck an effort towards goal from the edge of the box which whistled just over the bar.

For all their persistence in the second half, the hosts found an equaliser. Betis had a throw in deep into Forest’s defensive half. They created passes in this area before Marc Roca was found. He made a run towards the byline, firing a cross across the box which Antony ran onto at the back  post and finished. The visitors had to dig deep for the dying minutes which they did to take a point back to the East Midlands.

That first half was the best 45 minutes I’ve seen us play in ages. We had come to an intimidating atmosphere that was very new for a lot of the team and we completely dominated. We should’ve been either 3-1 or 4-1 up going into half time. Our football was so fluid and it was just brilliant and exciting to watch. However, in the second half there was a total switch. We looked comfortable but we did struggle to regain that control and dominance that we showed first half. It did feel like Betis were going to score at some point. It might’ve been down to Douglas Luiz coming off or the heat getting to everyone as it’s a completely different environment. I think Elliot was our standout player. He was dominating that midfield and he was everywhere the whole game. His control in tight areas is brilliant. It is disappointing to only come away with a point after how well we played but we have come away from arguably our hardest game with a point, so it is something to build on.

Real Betis: Lopez; Ortiz, Natan, Gomez, Firpo (Rodriguez 46’); Altimira (Roca 46’), Lo Celso (Fornals 76’), Amrabat; Antony, Bakambu (Hernandez 72’), Ezzalzouli (Riquelme 46’)

Forest: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic (Boly 90+2’), Morato, Zinchenko; Sangare (Yates 81’); Gibbs-White, Luiz (Bakwa 46’), Anderson, Hudson-Odoi (Ndoye 64’); Igor Jesus (Kalimuendo 64’)