Nottingham Forest and manager Ange Postecoglou are gearing up for the club’s return to European competition after 30 years, but they have been hit by a significant setback ahead of their clash with Real Betis.
The Forest squad has been training at Real Betis’ stadium to familiarize themselves with the surroundings before the Europa League opener in Seville. In the Betis camp, manager Manuel Pellegrini is dealing with injury concerns, with players like Isco and Diego Llorente unavailable for the match, providing an opportunity for Forest.
However, Forest also have injury worries of their own, as Brazilian center-back Murillo has not traveled with the squad for the Betis game. Postecoglou had hoped Murillo would be available after missing previous fixtures due to injury but confirmed that he is still not comfortable to play.
This setback comes after Ola Aina’s three-month absence due to a hamstring injury, adding to Forest’s injury concerns. Despite Murillo’s absence, his Brazilian compatriot Morato has stepped up as a reliable replacement in the defense, putting in solid performances in the last two games.
Postecoglou has expressed confidence in Morato’s abilities, especially after his performance against Burnley, where he showcased his defensive capabilities and solid passing. Alongside Nikola Milenkovic, Morato forms a dependable defensive pair, giving Postecoglou assurance as they face Real Betis in the Europa League opener.
While Murillo’s absence is a blow for Forest, Morato’s consistent performances provide a solid defensive option and allow the team to approach the Betis match with confidence in their defensive capabilities.
