Nottingham Forest’s opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign did not go according to script. Manager Oliver Glasner was left utterly frustrated, left to rue missed opportunities and a glaring lapse in defensive concentration as Forest suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at the City Ground.
The game was ultimately decided in the 88th minute when Leeds midfielder Anton Stach curled a deceptive free-kick past a flat-footed Matz Sels, leaving the Forest goalkeeper scratching his head.
However, beyond the late-match heartbreak, one of the biggest talking points among supporters before and during the fixture was the glaring absence of marquee defensive signing Ousmane Diomande. The £37 million arrival from Sporting CP spent the entire afternoon rooted to the substitutes’ bench, prompting widespread questions from fans eager to see their big-money acquisition in action.
Following the full-time whistle, Glasner moved quickly to clear the air, addressing why the Ivorian powerhouse was left out of the starting lineup.
Glasner Reveals Physical Reality Behind Diomande’s Absence
Speaking candidly to Nottinghamshire Live after the match, Glasner explained that a truncated pre-season and a lack of peak match fitness were the sole reasons the high-profile defender was kept out of the firing line.
“Ousmane Diomande arrived very late and we had this issue before in that we know he’s not in his best physical shape,” Glasner revealed.
The Forest boss also pointed out a delicate balancing act within his backline, noting that fellow central defender Murillo was similarly lacking optimal match fitness. Throwing both players into the intense, high-octane cauldron of a Premier League opener carried too much risk.
“Murillo also isn’t so I didn’t want to start both because we can’t afford that we might have to sub them both for physical reasons.”
A Long-Awaited Reunion for Glasner
The £37 million acquisition of Diomande is a massive coup for Nottingham Forest, bringing a player to the City Ground whom Glasner has coveted for a long time. The Austrian manager had desperately tried to secure the defender’s signature last summer during his previous managerial stint, only to see the deal fall through.
Now reunited in the East Midlands, Glasner views the Ivorian international as an absolute cornerstone of his tactical system. But with expectations sky-high, Diomande will need to accelerate his fitness program rapidly.
A Quick Chance for Redemption in the Carabao Cup
Fortunately, Diomande won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to prove his readiness. Forest have virtually no time to lick their wounds, with Leeds United returning to the City Ground on Tuesday night for a high-stakes Carabao Cup clash.
Glasner has already hinted that the £37 million star could be handed his first start in the cup tie, offering him a crucial platform to build match sharpness. A strong, commanding performance against Leeds in midweek could be all it takes for Diomande to force his way into the starting XI for next weekend’s daunting Premier League showdown against Liverpool.
As Forest look to rebound from opening-day disappointment, getting their defensive colossus fully up to speed will be the absolute key to unlocking the club’s ambitions this season!
