Nottingham Forest Legend Slams Vítor Pereira Over ‘Embarrassing’ Europa League Defeat to FC Midtjylland — ‘Despite Poor Performance from Midtjylland,’ He Added

Former Nottingham Forest defender Felipe has launched a strong critique of manager Vítor Pereira following the club’s disappointing defeat to FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League.

Forest suffered a painful setback in their European campaign after going down 1–0 to the Danish side, a result that left supporters frustrated and raised questions about the team’s tactical approach and mentality on the continental stage. For a club with Forest’s proud history in European competition, the defeat was viewed by many as a missed opportunity — and Felipe did not hold back in sharing his thoughts.

The Brazilian centre-back, who enjoyed a popular spell at the City Ground during his playing career, described the performance as “not good enough” and insisted the team should have shown far more determination in such a crucial match.

“When you play in Europe, especially in a competition like the Europa League, you must show personality,” Felipe said while discussing the match. “For a club like Nottingham Forest, this kind of performance is embarrassing. The fans expect much more.”

Felipe’s comments reflect the growing frustration among supporters who had hoped the club would make a stronger statement in Europe. While the defeat does not necessarily end Forest’s hopes of progressing, the narrow loss has put the team under pressure heading into the return leg.

Much of the criticism has centred on the tactical setup employed by Pereira during the match. Forest struggled to create clear chances for long periods and appeared vulnerable when Midtjylland pushed forward on the counterattack.

Felipe believes the team looked too cautious and lacked the intensity required to dominate a European fixture at home.

“The team looked nervous,” he explained. “You cannot play with fear in these games. If you want to win in Europe, you must take control of the match. I didn’t see that from Forest.”

Felipe also dismissed suggestions that the weather conditions were the main reason behind Nottingham Forest’s defeat to FC Midtjylland. The former defender argued that while the conditions may have played a minor role, they were not enough to justify the result, insisting Forest should still have produced a stronger performance regardless of the environment.

Nottingham Forest remain one of the most famous clubs in European football history thanks to their remarkable achievements under legendary manager Brian Clough. During Clough’s era, Forest famously conquered the continent, winning back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.

For Felipe, those achievements mean the club carries a responsibility to compete with pride whenever it returns to the European stage.

“This is a club that has won the biggest trophies in Europe,” he said. “The players must understand what that badge represents. The supporters remember the great nights. When Forest plays in Europe, the expectation is always to fight and compete.”

The defeat has inevitably placed added scrutiny on Pereira as he attempts to guide the club through a demanding season. While the Portuguese coach has previously enjoyed success in different leagues across Europe and Asia, adapting his methods to the Premier League environment has not always been straightforward.

Supporters had hoped the Europa League campaign would provide a platform for Forest to showcase their progress under his leadership. Instead, the defeat has reignited debate about the team’s direction and consistency.

Felipe, however, stressed that criticism should be viewed as motivation rather than hostility.

“Football is about responsibility,” he said. “When things go wrong, everyone must look at themselves — the players, the manager, the staff. Criticism is part of the game.”

Despite the frustration surrounding the result, Forest still have an opportunity to turn the tie around. The second leg will present a fresh challenge, and the squad will know a strong performance could quickly shift the narrative.

Felipe believes the players must approach the next match with a completely different mentality.

“The tie is not finished,” he said. “But the players must react. They must show character, aggression and belief. If they do that, they can still change the story.”

For the Forest faithful, the hope is that the criticism from one of their former favourites will act as a wake-up call. European nights at the City Ground have long been associated with drama, passion and unforgettable moments.

Whether Pereira’s side can rediscover that spirit in the return leg remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: expectations around Nottingham Forest remain as high as ever.

Felipe’s blunt assessment may sting, but for many supporters it echoes exactly what they are feeling after a disappointing night in Europe.