Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Steve Cooper’s side lose in their pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven
Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 against PSV Eindhoven in their fifth pre-season friendly of the summer.
PSV had most of the ball in the first half as they pinned Forest back at the Philips Stadium in the Netherlands. The Reds were looking to build up from defence but struggled to create anything, particularly in the second half.
The hosts nearly led inside the first five minutes as Patrick van Aanholt’s dangerous low cross was missed by every Forest player, but luckily there were no PSV players to tap it in.
A fantastic shot from Morgan Gibbs-White was Forest’s best opportunity as his curling effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Walter Benitez in PSV’s goal. Forest then almost scored from the resulting corner as the ball was cleared from under the crossbar.
Forest struggled to find any rhythm in the second half after a large number of substitutions and the Reds were then punished just after the hour mark. PSV winger Johan Bakayoko had a fantastic game and scored the winner after sweeping the ball in from the edge of the box.
He almost got his brace moments later as he forced a good save from Horvath after weaving his way into the Forest box. Steve Cooper’s side are next in action against Stade Rennes in a behind-closed-doors friendly at St George’s Park on Wednesday, (kick-off: 7pm).
Here is how we rated the players…
Horvath: Had very little to do in the first half and could do very little for the goal before making a good save moments later. 7/10
Aurier: A few sloppy errors at the back in the first half but cleared some dangerous opportunities. 6/10
Worrall: Often came into midfield to build up play but was unsuccessful. 6/10
Boly: Read the play well at the back and defended reasonably well. 6/10
McKenna: Solid and helped to command the backline but struggled to build from the back. 5/10
Aina: Did very little wrong in his first appearance for the Reds. 6/10
Yates: Worked hard in midfield and screened the defence well before tiring near the end. 6/10
Mangala: Did reasonably well in midfield before being subbed around an hour in. 6/10
Danilo: A few nice touches but struggled to create anything in midfield. 5/10
Gibbs-White: A fantastic curling effort in the first half forced a good save from the PSV keeper. 7/10
Wood: Struggled to make any impact. 4/10
Subs…
Neco Williams: Came on for Aina at half-time and did okay. 6/10
Remo Freuler: Struggled when he came on and looks like he needs more matches to get up to speed. 4/10
Anthony Elanga: Looked lively when he came on but struggled to create anything. 6/10
