Historic night for Forest fans as the Reds host first match in Europa League since 1996
The match will be the first time they've faced Midtjylland, as well as the first time they've faced opposition from Denmark
Last updated 2nd Oct 2025
Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping for a performance today as the Trent side host their first europa league team since 1996.
It'll also be a lot of first's for them; their first match against Midtjylland, and in fact their first game against any Danish team.
Meanwhile, for boss Ange Postecoglou he'll be hoping to see his first win since getting into post.
Speaking to his club's team Postecoglou says "History will be made as we face a club from Denmark for the very first time.
"European competition often brings about these unique fixtures, and this is one of those special nights.
"On occasions like this, it’s important to focus on the match itself rather than the occasion. As long as we perform to the level I know we can, I am confident we can produce a positive result."
This is the 2nd game in the Reds return to European football after an absence of almost 30 years, an occasion that has been eagerly anticipated around both the club and the city.
It was Real Betis they faced last week in a curtain-raiser in Seville, where Igor Jesus netted the first goal in the competition, they walked away with one point having drew 2-2.
The scenes in Spain were described as a "sea of red across the city". The club also thanked players who travelled for their behaviour, adding that they'd received this positive feedback from the local authorities. In total 3,500 Reds attended to witness Forest' return to continental football.
Meanwhile today's opposition, Midtjylland, picked up three points against Sturm Graz, with a recorded 2-0 win last Wednesday.
Despite only being founded in 1999, the Hedens Drenge have quickly become renowned in Danish football. Winning promotion to the Danish Superliga in their first full season, in which they've remained there ever since, winning the championship four times as well as two Danish Cups along the way.
Their domestic successes have seen then compete across the top levels of European competition, featuring in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Nottingham Forest will be the team's fifth competition against an English side, in the past they've gone up against teams like Manchester City, and Southampton.
They arrive at the City Ground sitting second in the Superliga, just two points behind AGF, who top the early-season table.
Reiss Lane and Lee Clarke from the Red side of the Trent Podcast shared with us what they're looking forward to:
"For a generation of fans this will be the first time they get to experience Europe on the banks of the Trent.
"Plus, it's a game that if you look at it on paper, it's a game Forest should be winning. If you look at our squad compared to theirs, the spend and the depth - they'll be world's apart.. though I know Forest will have to work for that."
Lee added that:
"Really excited for it, the Reds back in Europe for the first time in 30 years, the city ground's going to be rocking. I'm really looking forward to a good performance. I think it's a game we can attack and massively look to get a big 3 points in this new concept of the Europa League.
"I'm just really excited and I'm confident that we're going to finally get a win under Ange Postecoglou and hopefully kick start our season."
A message from Nottinghamshire Police
Football fans will see more police in Nottingham throughout today ahead of an historic night for the city, as tens of thousands of fans are expected for the sell-out fixture on the banks of the Trent.
Ahead of what promises to be a night to remember, officers are calling on fans to be welcoming hosts to FC Midtjylland for the first European match at home on what looks to be an exciting night of football for both sides.
Superintendent Louise Clarke said:
“We know generations of Forest fans have been waiting years for this kind of occasion, so we want them all to be able to enjoy it safely. Seeing the club back in Europe after nearly 30 years means a great deal to supporters and is undoubtedly a thing for our city to be proud of.
“That achievement deserves to be celebrated, so we want tonight to be one that’s remembered for all the right reasons, both on the pitch and off it. We know the majority of fans will be going to cheer on their side without causing any trouble whatsoever.
“There will be an increased visible police presence around the city up to, during and after the match, but we want to stress we’re not there to ruin anyone’s fun.
“We’re expecting people of all ages to be making their way to the City Ground, so our officers will be on hand to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the match safely.”
Graham Murray, Head of Safety and Security at Nottingham Forest, added:
“This is a historic fixture for the Club – we know fans are very much looking forward to the match and to welcoming our visitors from Denmark to the city.
"We’re working closely with Nottinghamshire Police to ensure everybody enjoys the day safely, and the increased police presence across the city will mean that supporters can easily raise any concerns should they need to.
"I’m sure the atmosphere across Nottingham and within the stadium will be fantastic, and I hope everybody enjoys the game.”
Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White Thoughts
Ahead of the game tonight, Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White underlined the importance of making the City Ground a fortress as he spoke to the club:
“As a team we have to be a force at home and make the City Ground a stadium where teams fear to come. I think we’ve shown that in the past three years of us being in the Premier League.
“To know that European football is back here is such a proud moment, but it’s something that we can’t take for granted; we’ve got to really grab this opportunity because football is such a short career and you never know when you’re going to get that opportunity next.
"The fans have waited 30 seasons.
This might be the only chance some of the players in the team get to play Europa League football, so we can’t let this chance slip away. We’ve got to take it with both hands and see how far we can go.”
We know Willy Delajod will officiate this fixture, it'll be the French official’s first in the competition this season, having previously taken charge of the Conference League qualifying fixture between Riga and Sparta Prague.
He has previously officiated in England, overseeing Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League match against Qarabağ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2024/25.
The club's site says that assisting Delajod will be Erwan Finjean and Valentin Évrard, with Ruddy Buquet on fourth-official duty.
The VAR is Jérôme Brisard, with Romania’s Cǎtǎlin Sorin Popa serving as assistant VAR.
Chris Wood Comments
In a separate reaction piece by the club, forward Chris Wood spoke about being back in European football:
“It’s a stage you want to be on every year if you can and that’s what we’re striving to do as a club: being up there and being in these competitions as much as possible.
“The boys are ready for it.
"You want to score as many goals as you can as a striker and that’s the way the team wants to be.”
Read more about the match and interviews with the players on the Nottingham Forest website.