Nottingham Forest fans are pinching themselves as their club faces Fenerbahçe at the City Ground tonight, February 26, 2026, in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off tie. After years spent fighting for survival and dreaming of European nights, the Tricky Trees are now on the cusp of the round of 16, holding a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Istanbul. The buzz around the city is palpable, and with tickets sold out and only limited resale options available, the City Ground is set for a raucous, rain-soaked evening as supporters hope to witness history in the making.
Forest’s resurgence in continental competition has been spearheaded by none other than 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back Murillo. His performances this season have been nothing short of exceptional, combining calm authority, left-footed elegance, and a knack for reading the game with a maturity well beyond his years. Murillo’s ability to carry the ball out of defence and play under pressure has drawn the attention of Europe’s most illustrious clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and, most notably, Bayern Munich.
Last week’s emphatic 3-0 away victory in Istanbul was a showcase for Forest’s new identity under coach Vítor Pereira, who has quickly made his mark since taking over. The goals came courtesy of Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White, with the clean sheet underlining the team’s newfound balance between offensive flair and defensive solidity. Pereira’s tactical tweaks have reinvigorated a squad that, domestically, still finds itself just two points above the Premier League relegation zone. But in Europe, Forest are a different animal—disciplined, confident, and hungry for more.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 8pm local time, with Italian referee Maurizio Mariani in charge, supported by VAR Marco Di Bello. The weather in Nottingham is forecast to be mild, hovering between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius, though light rain could make the pitch slick and unpredictable. But nothing dampens the spirits of the Forest faithful, who have snapped up every available ticket for this rare European night.
The probable starting lineup for Forest shows little change from the side that triumphed in Turkey. Ortega is expected in goal, protected by a back line of Aina, Milenković, Murillo, and Williams. In midfield, Anderson and Sangaré provide steel, while Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, and Hudson-Odoi offer creativity behind lone striker Igor Jesus. This continuity reflects Pereira’s trust in the group that delivered such a statement performance last week.
Fenerbahçe, managed by Domenico Tedesco, face a daunting task. The Turkish giants must overturn a three-goal deficit on foreign soil, needing at least three unanswered goals to force extra time. Their probable lineup is hampered by suspensions and injuries, with Çetin in goal, a defense of Semedo, Demir, Brown, and Muldur, midfielders Guendouzi and Kanté, and an attacking trio of Asensio, Nene, and Aktürkoğlu supporting striker Cherif. The visitors’ recent form has been mixed, with a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa, a heavy 3-0 loss to Forest, and wins over Trabzonspor and Gençlerbirliği. They'll need to risk everything from the first whistle, which could open up opportunities for Forest to strike on the counter.
Forest’s European adventure has provided a welcome distraction from their Premier League struggles. Their last five domestic matches have yielded a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, a goalless draw with Wolverhampton, a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, and a 2-0 victory over Brentford. In Europe, however, their defense has been rock solid at home, and they are chasing their first knockout stage winning streak since the 1980s.
Murillo, whose goal in Istanbul helped set the tone for the tie, is at the center of transfer speculation that refuses to die down. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly set a price tag between £60 million and £70 million for the Brazilian—a figure that would shatter the club’s record sale. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Bayern Munich are preparing a 'major move' for Murillo this summer, believing they can outmaneuver Premier League suitors like Chelsea and Liverpool. The defender is under contract until 2029, giving Forest some leverage, but the level of interest from Europe’s elite makes his future a hot topic around the City Ground.
Marinakis is in no rush to sell, but he’s made it clear that it will take a monumental offer to prise Murillo away. “We know what Murillo brings to our team, and we won’t let him go for anything less than what he’s truly worth,” a source close to the club stated, echoing the sentiment around Nottingham that holding onto their star defender could be the key to further progress both at home and abroad.
Offensively, Igor Jesus has emerged as one of Forest’s top scorers in this competition, while Morgan Gibbs-White continues to contribute with assists and decisive goals. On the Fenerbahçe side, Marco Asensio and Kerem Aktürkoğlu provide the main creative spark and attacking threat, but they’ll need something truly special to break down a Forest defense anchored by Murillo.
The winner of this tie will face either Real Betis or Midtjylland in the round of 16, raising the stakes even higher. For Forest, advancing would mark a return to European prominence not seen since their glory days in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There’s a sense that this could be the start of something special, with a young, ambitious squad and a fanbase desperate for nights like these.
Tonight’s game is broadcast exclusively on CazéTV’s YouTube channel, free for fans in Brazil and available internationally via platforms like Paramount+ in select countries. The global attention is a testament to Forest’s growing profile, driven in part by the transfer saga swirling around Murillo and the club’s unexpected European run.
As kick-off approaches, the atmosphere inside the City Ground is electric. Supporters know that, barring a collapse, their team is on the verge of the last 16. Yet, as any football fan will tell you, nothing is certain until the final whistle. The challenge for Pereira’s men is to stay focused, avoid complacency, and seize the moment. “This is what we play for—nights like these,” said a jubilant Forest supporter outside the stadium. “Let’s finish the job!”
With the action about to unfold, all eyes are on Nottingham. Will Forest’s European dream roll on? The answer will be revealed under the lights, with history beckoning and a new generation of heroes ready to step forward.