The first leg of the Europa League playoff match between Fenerbahce and Nottingham Forest presents a complex scenario, marked by a new manager's debut and a historical disadvantage for the visiting English club. This analysis will examine the team lineups, recent form, and historical data to provide a clearer understanding of the contest's dynamics.
Context of the Match
This fixture represents the first encounter between Fenerbahce and Nottingham Forest in European competition. The match is the first leg of a playoff tie in the UEFA Europa League for the 2025/2026 season.
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 18:45 (local time)
Venue: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul
Key Personnel:Nottingham Forest is managed by Vítor Pereira, who is taking charge of his first match for the club. Pereira has prior experience managing Fenerbahce, making this a return to familiar territory for him.
Team Form and Historical Performance:Fenerbahce has a notable historical trend in major European knockout ties:
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They have lost the first leg in four of their last six such ties.
Crucially, they have never progressed from a major European tie when losing the first leg, failing on all 26 occasions.
Fenerbahce's recent record against English opposition is also a point of note:
They have won only one of their last nine matches against English sides, with two draws and six losses.
Team Lineups and Player Selections
Lineups for the match have been confirmed. The tactical formations deployed by both managers are central to understanding the expected strategies.
| Team | Formation | Manager | Starting XI (as reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenerbahce | 3-4-3 | Vítor Pereira | Ederson; Skriniar, Jayden, Mert; Semedo, Guendouzi, Kante, Talisca; Asensio, Cherif, Kerem |
| Nottingham Forest | 4-2-3-1 | Domenico Tedesco | Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gbbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus |
Note: Some sources list slightly different variations for the Fenerbahce lineup, for instance, including Müldür, Oosterwolde, and Aktürkoglu.
Player Introductions:
Omari Hutchinson makes his long-awaited European debut for Nottingham Forest in this match.
Strategic Considerations
The appointment of Vítor Pereira at Nottingham Forest introduces an immediate variable. His familiarity with Fenerbahce's environment and potential playing style could be a factor. However, his primary mandate at Forest is to ensure their Premier League survival, raising questions about the level of emphasis placed on this Europa League fixture.
"He is here to keep Forest in the Premier League, so it will be interesting to see how seriously he takes the Europa League."
The presence of several former Premier League players in the Fenerbahce lineup suggests a team with considerable experience at a high level.
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Historical Head-to-Head and European Records
This match marks the first European meeting between Fenerbahce and Nottingham Forest. However, historical data provides context for their respective performances in European competitions.
Fenerbahce's Knockout Record: As previously noted, Fenerbahce has a significant weakness when losing the first leg of a major European knockout tie. Their record of 26 losses and 0 wins when trailing after the first leg is a stark statistic.
Fenerbahce vs. English Teams: Their record of one win in nine against English clubs indicates a potential struggle against teams from this league.
Statistical Previews
While direct head-to-head statistics are absent, broader performance metrics can offer insights.
Sofascore Community Vote: The Sofascore community's perception of which team is more likely to win is available, offering a gauge of public sentiment.
Expert Commentary
The debut of a new manager, Vítor Pereira, for Nottingham Forest, especially one with prior experience at the opposing club, adds a layer of intrigue. His tenure at Forest begins on familiar European ground for him.
"New manager Pereira on familiar ground. No 4 of the season for Forest and Vitor Pereira kicks off his tenure in the vibrant Turkish city he knows only too well."
The decision-making regarding player selection and tactical approach in this first leg will be critical, given Forest's broader objectives.
Conclusion
The Europa League playoff first leg between Fenerbahce and Nottingham Forest is shaped by several key factors: Vítor Pereira's debut as Nottingham Forest manager, his past affiliation with Fenerbahce, and Fenerbahce's historical struggles when losing the first leg of major European knockout ties. While Fenerbahce possesses experienced players, Nottingham Forest enters the fixture with the intention of building a foundation under their new manager. The tactical execution and the weight given to this competition by Forest will be significant determinants in the outcome of this initial encounter.
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Sources Used
The Guardian: Published "Fenerbahce v Nottingham Forest: Europa League playoff, first leg – live" on February 19, 2026. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/19/fenerbahce-v-nottingham-forest-europa-league-playoff-first-leg-live)
BBC Sport: Published "Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest: UEFA Europa League stats & head-to-head" on February 18, 2026. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5yj7rgj7ent)
The Telegraph: Published "Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest live: Europa League score and updates" on February 19, 2026. (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/02/19/fenerbahce-vs-nottingham-forest-score-and-updates/?msockid=008d6f85ad0760b31d387880acfd6181)
Sofascore: Provided "Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore" 17 hours prior to access. (https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/fenerbahce-nottingham-forest/osclb)
UEFA: Featured "Fenerbahçe vs Nott'm Forest line-ups | UEFA Europa League 2025/26". ( https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2047783—fenerbahce-vs-nott-m-forest/)
L'Équipe: Published "DIRECT. Fenerbahçe-Nottingham Forest (Ligue Europa 2025-2026) à suivre en direct" 18 hours prior to access. (https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/match-direct/ligue-europa/2025-2026/fenerbahce-nottingham-forest-live/688590)
