Luca Netz stole the show as Nottingham Forest concluded their pre-season preparations with a convincing win against Ligue One side Brest. In their last hit-out before the Premier League kick-off against Leeds next weekend, Forest carried a 2-0 advantage into the interval, with the German right-back delivering a standout first-half display.
Netz earned a spot-kick after being tripped by Mama Balde, allowing Chris Wood to dispatch the penalty. Netz then got on the scoresheet himself, finishing off a superb team move which saw Callum Hudson-Odoi find Nicolas Dominguez, whose superb first-time ball was converted by Netz.
Forest controlled proceedings at the City Ground, where the senior side had been given the afternoon off after competing in a private friendly against Coventry City. The club also bade farewell to forward Taiwo Awoniyi at the interval as the first-team group and coaching staff formed a guard of honour before teammates performed the bumps as his switch to Coventry draws near.
After the break, clear-cut opportunities were scarce for either side as Forest preserved their advantage, though a more accurate delivery from Arnaud Kalimuendo might have found Dilane Bakwa, but the pass was overhit and any prospect of a third goal evaporated.
Here are the main observations from yesterday’s encounter….
A relaxed workout
Although Nottingham Forest did not field their strongest XI in this concluding pre-season fixture of the summer, it still represented a useful exercise for Oliver Glasner. It offered an opportunity to run the rule over those on the periphery, and on a warm afternoon, there was plenty to satisfy the manager as the league opener against Leeds approaches. While the personnel may have differed, the tactical setup remained constant, suggesting that Glasner’s training ground methods are enhancing comprehension throughout the squad.
Every player from goalkeeper to forward performed admirably as they comfortably dealt with Brest’s challenge, with the visitors’ most threatening spell arriving in the opening five minutes. The organisation and pressing intensity, characteristics of his Crystal Palace side, were apparent, and should the senior players encounter any unwelcome fitness issues, there is no shortage of capable alternatives. Luca Netz stood out particularly, scoring and winning the penalty which Chris Wood dispatched with assurance.
And while some may have been disappointed not to witness Morgan Gibbs-White and similar established players before competitive action resumes, it was an enjoyable afternoon that ultimately turned into a relaxed workout. The sole criticism might be that Forest failed to capitalise more frequently on promising situations, but that would be nitpicking given the solid overall display.
Netz catches the eye
The German full-back sampled Premier League action last term, making seven appearances after joining from Borussia Monchengladbach back in February. His display here reinforced that the £1.1m Forest paid for him appears excellent value.
He looked assured when in possession, possessed reasonable speed, and his eagerness to surge forward into the penalty area troubled Brest, especially during the opening 45 minutes. It was his bursting run that enticed Mama Balde into a clumsy tackle, leaving Darren England with no option but to award the penalty.
If that demonstrated Netz’s creativity, he also displayed his finishing ability at the conclusion of a fine team move, which concluded with Nicolas Dominguez finding him with a superb pass, which he confidently buried to make it 2-0 before half-time.
At 23, he is still to enter his prime years, and his prior top-flight experience confirms that Forest place significant faith in him. He seems an exceptionally shrewd piece of business.
Awoniyi gets his send-off
Taiwo Awoniyi’s transfer to Coventry City will be completed shortly, with Forest reportedly set to receive £17m from his switch across the Midlands. Yet while his departure looms, his standing among supporters remains high, as evidenced by the thunderous applause he received during the guard of honour that greeted him at half-time.
It is uncommon in the modern transfer market for players to have a public farewell, so this was an elegant gesture from Forest to facilitate that moment. The first-team group gave him the bumps, leaving Awoniyi, who arrived at the club in 2022, visibly emotional during the tribute.
Yet he thoroughly merits such recognition, having conducted himself impeccably both on and off the pitch, not to mention vital goals during the 2022/23 campaign that aided the club’s survival in the Premier League. Numerous clips of his guard of honour circulated on social media alongside heartfelt messages.
He will face Forest later in the campaign, though only applause rather than jeers await in recognition of a player who gave his all, never muttered a complaint and perfectly embodied the Forest ethos.
Wood is prepared
Had Chris Wood been available for much of last season, Nottingham Forest would likely have avoided their relegation struggle. The striker’s knee problem kept him sidelined for almost five and a half months, denying Forest the opportunity to utilise his abilities.
He returned unexpectedly in April, but he always required a thorough pre-season to restore his sharpness. He placed his penalty away with the confidence befitting a player of his experience, and having him fully match-fit as the season commences will provide Glasner with a substantial lift.