Teammates denies the rumors about Ange Postecoglou dropping important Nottingham Forest Star for Real Betis Europa League match
Nottingham Forest return to European action on Wednesday night for the first time since 1996 with Spanish opposition Real Betis hosting them.
The Tricky Trees have only faced the Seville-based side once in a pre-season friendly back in 2018, a game which ended 1-0 to Betis.The tides have since changed. Back then Nottingham Forest were in the Championship, and hopes were on promotion rather than a European tour.
Now, Ange Postecoglou’s side are looking to win silverware and are third favourites to lift the Europa League.
However, despite the lack of matchups against Real Betis, the Green and Whites do have a player that quite enjoys playing against the Tricky Trees.
Antony has a fantastic win record against Nottingham Forest
Antony’s blockbuster £86 million move to Manchester United took headlines back in 2022, and in the end, the Brazilian struggled to make a lasting impact.
The Red Devils eventually decided to part ways, and Antony was sent on loan to Real Betis in January 2025, before later making the move permanent over the summer for £22 million.
Antony was a key player for the La Liga side and helped guide them to the Conference League final, as well as qualify for the Europa League.
However, Antony has an interesting statistic against Nottingham Forest.
He has played against the Garibaldi more times than any other club with seven appearances, and he has come out on the winning side six times.
It is no doubt an ominous record looming over this fixture, and what the Brazilian did against the Tricky Trees in 2023 could worry a few.
Additionally, Ange Postecoglou will need to be concerned about one other thing against Real Betis.
Antony scored and assisted in the same game against Nottingham Forest in 2023
While his goals and assists record against Nottingham Forest is not quite as impressive as his win rate, the winger did produce an incredible performance against the club back in 2023.
Forest fell to a 2-0 defeat to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United on April 16th, 2023, and Antony had a hand in both goals.
The former Ajax man scored and assisted on the day, and those remain his only goal involvements against the Garibaldi.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely the man who will be tasked with keeping the winger quiet. The Ukrainian was added to the Europa League squad after Ola Aina’s injury.
All focus will now be on Wednesday night at 8pm BST, as Ange Postecoglou looks to get his first win as Nottingham Forest manager.
