Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
