Vitor Pereira has urged the Premier League to better support clubs competing in Europe, warning that the current fixture schedule is putting Nottingham Forest at a disadvantage.
Tight Turnaround Raises Concerns
Forest were in action on Thursday night, battling to a 1-1 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League. However, attention has already turned to Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa — leaving little time for recovery.
Villa face a similar situation after their midweek European trip, but Pereira believes the broader issue lies with scheduling decisions influenced by broadcasters.
Pereira’s Plea for Change
The Forest boss stopped short of demanding match postponements but stressed that even minor adjustments — such as moving games from Sunday to Monday — could have a significant impact.
He argued that an extra 24 hours of recovery would make a “big difference” for players dealing with travel fatigue and high-intensity fixtures.
Pereira pointed to Ligue 1 as an example, where clubs like Paris Saint-Germain have had domestic fixtures rescheduled to boost their chances in European competitions.
Impact on Performance
According to Pereira, the current schedule risks undermining English clubs’ ability to compete for continental trophies. He suggested that without adequate rest, teams may struggle to maintain performance levels — particularly in the latter stages of matches.
The Portuguese coach highlighted how fatigue can become evident, especially in the second half of games, when players are asked to perform again just days after demanding European fixtures.
Balancing Domestic and European Ambitions
With Forest juggling both domestic and European commitments, Pereira acknowledged the challenge of managing player fitness while staying competitive on multiple fronts.
While satisfied with his team’s recent result in Europe, he admitted that squad rotation and risk management may become necessary if fixture congestion continues.
As the season enters a decisive phase, Pereira’s comments add to growing calls for the Premier League to reconsider scheduling — not just for Nottingham Forest, but for all English clubs aiming to succeed on the European stage.
