Porto vs. Forest: Sean Dyche Looks to Make Winning Start
New manager Sean Dyche looks to make a winning start as Nottingham Forest takes on Porto in the Europa League.
“There's some real talent here, so our job now is to find that balance...”
Nottingham Forest kicks off Sean Dyche's era with a crucial Europa League match against Porto on Thursday. The new manager takes charge of a team struggling in the competition, having secured only one point from two games. Dyche's task is to instill stability and lead Forest to their first win in the tournament.
Dyche's appointment marks a new chapter for Forest, who have had a turbulent season with two previous managers. The 54-year-old has a reputation for delivering results and will look to shore up Forest's defense, which has conceded five goals in two Europa League matches. Porto, on the other hand, are in strong form, having won both their opening matches in the competition.
The match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Dyche's pragmatic approach facing off against Porto's attacking flair. Forest will need to be solid defensively and capitalize on any scoring opportunities to cause an upset against the Portuguese side. A win would be a significant boost for Dyche and Forest, providing momentum for the rest of the season.
Sean Dyche's European experience includes leading Burnley to the Europa League play-offs in the 2018/19 season. Although his side was narrowly beaten by Olympiacos, missing out on a spot in the league stage.
Dyche has earned a reputation as a pragmatic manager who consistently delivers results. While his teams may not always produce the most attractive football, they are known for their resilience and ability to grind out wins. This tactical approach has earned him respect in the football world.
Sean Dyche has been appointed as the new manager of Nottingham Forest, tasked with turning the team's fortunes around to satisfy the demands of owner Evangelos Marinakis. Dyche's Forest debut is particularly significant, marking his first European match proper since starting his senior management career 14 years ago at Watford.
The 54-year-old manager will be aware that only victory will be enough to keep Marinakis happy, given the owner's history of swift sackings. Dyche's experience in managing teams in high-pressure situations will be put to the test as he navigates Forest's European campaign.
“There's some real talent here, so our job now is to find that balance,” Dyche told the club's website on Tuesday.
"The risk and reward of going forward... but equally the solid base which has been such a big weapon for the club, particularly last season.
"Finding that balance will be key.”
At first glance, Sean Dyche's managerial approach appears to share similarities with Nuno Espirito Santo, the former Forest boss who had a remarkable 2024-25 Premier League season. Despite initial skepticism from fans following his appointment as Steve Cooper's replacement two years ago, Nuno won over supporters with an outstanding campaign that saw Forest occupy a top-four position for much of the season and ultimately secure a return to European competition.
Nuno's tactics played a significant role in Forest's success, with the team bucking the trend of Premier League sides by dominating without possession and using clever pressing traps to outmaneuver opponents. This approach allowed Forest to spring quick counter-attacks, catching teams off guard and exploiting spaces left behind. Under Nuno, Forest showed impressive adaptability, shifting formations and personnel to suit different matches and opponents.
If Dyche's style does indeed align with Nuno's, Forest fans might see a continuation of the tactical approach that brought them success last season. However, Dyche's experience managing in different environments and his ability to get the best out of his players could bring a new dynamic to the team. With key players like Morgan Gibbs-White and potential new signings, Forest will be looking to build on last season's progress and make a strong impact in the Europa League.
Nottingham Forest's season has taken a drastic turn for the worse, with the team struggling in the Premier League relegation zone after a promising summer that saw over £180 million invested in the squad. With just five points from eight games, the Reds are under immense pressure to turn things around.
Forest's European campaign hasn't fared much better, with the team sitting in the elimination zone ahead of matchday three in the Europa League. A 2-2 draw at Real Betis was a promising result, but they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland, leaving them fighting for survival in the competition.
Focus on Defense Against Porto
Sean Dyche's priority will be to solidify Nottingham Forest's defense ahead of the Europa League match against Porto. With five goals conceded so far in the competition, Dyche aims to instill a stronger defensive structure. As he emphasized, “The basics have always got to be in place. Strong, fit and organised is always a good place to start.”
Porto, currently leading the Portuguese league and sitting sixth in the Europa League standings, present a challenging but manageable test for Forest. Despite their perfect start with two wins, they've scored only three goals, indicating a potential vulnerability that Forest can exploit. This could allow Dyche to fine-tune his team's defensive strategy against a side that's not overly aggressive in attack.
A victory over Porto, the 2004 Champions League winners, would be a fantastic start to Sean Dyche's tenure as Nottingham Forest manager. Delivering a first European win for the club since 1995 would go a long way in winning over the fans and silencing critics, particularly owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Sean Dyche on the environment he wants to create. 🗣️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 22, 2025
Watch our new Head Coach's first press conference! 📺
Meanwhile, Rangers are also looking to turn their season around under new manager Danny Rohl. The 36-year-old German coach was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal after Russell Martin's departure and will be eager to make a positive impact. Rohl's first challenge is Thursday's Europa League match against Brann.
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