Nottingham Forest arrived at the Stadion Der Alten Försterei today for the first time in the club’s history to face Bundesliga side Union Berlin, who finished 5th last season to qualify for the Europa League.
Steve Cooper named a strong line up that included club-record signing Taiwo Awoniyi who joined earlier in the summer from today’s hosts and a first appearance for Lewis O’Brien.
Union started brightly, creating waves of opportunity in the opening minutes. Dean Henderson was called into action as he tipped a close ranger header around the post when it seemed destined to find the back of the net. The pressure did not let up there as the hosts continued to assert their early dominance, although they lacked the clinical edge in and around the six-yard box.
Forest gradually gained a foothold in the game and created their first chance of the afternoon just after the 15 minute mark when Harry Toffolo picked up a loose ball and drove a left-footed effort from 30 yards that skimmed the post as Rönnow was left flailing in the Union net.
As the first half progressed it became an evenly contested battle in the middle of the field with few clear chances at either end, until the 36th minute when Steve Cook’s pass across the backline failed to reach Scott McKenna. He looked to redeem himself with a crunching tackle on Jordan Siebatcheu who had picked up the loose ball, however, it fell to Trimmel who was able to fire a low ball towards the near post and Siebatcheu was on hand to bundle the ball across the line from a yard out.
The Reds regathered and manufactured a chance of their own moments later when Alex Mighten’s quick throw-in caught out the Union defence and found Brennan Johnson in space on the left hand side. He was able to pick out the oncoming Awoniyi with a low cross but the connection was not as clean as he would’ve liked as the ball drifted wide of the post.
Half Time: Union Berlin 1-0 Nottingham Forest
The Reds made one change at the half-time break as Moussa Niakhaté was introduced to the fold in place of Steve Cook.
Union Berlin should have doubled their lead on the hour mark when Henderson fumbled a cross from the left hand side, the ball dropped to the feet of Sieubatcheu who squandered a golden opportunity as he fired the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box.
Forest struggled to assert themselves on the second half as much as they would have liked but nearly created a chance out of thin air when Johnson picked up a loose ball and ran at the Union defence, although the resulting shot was blocked before it reached Rönnow.
Cafú entered the fold in place of O’Brien and found himself amongst the action shortly after when he tested Rönnow from long range with a free-kick that bounced awkwardly in front of the Union stopper who managed to hold onto the ball.
As the game entered the final stages it remained a fairly even affair and a game of few clear cut chances with the majority of action taking place central third of the field.
Henderson was called into the action once again when substitute Tim Skarke made a marauding run into the box and cushioned the ball to his bottom left corner with the inside of his boot, however his outstretched arm was able to turn the ball around the post.
Full Time: Union Berlin 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest: Dean Henderson; Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Joe Worrall; Harry Toffolo, Neco Williams; Jack Colback, Lewis O’Brien; Brennan Johnson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Alex Mighten
Substitutes on: Moussa Niakhaté, Lyle Taylor, Cafú, Giulian Biancone, Oli Hammond, Dale Taylor, Richie Laryea, Löic Mbe Soh
Union Berlin: Rönnow, Jaeckel, Khedira, Haberer, Gießelmann, Haraguchi, Becker, Trimmel, Knoche, Heintz, Siebatcheu