Home GeneralPereira on Clough 'inspiration', Murillo's fitness and a desire to 'achieve miracles'

Pereira on Clough 'inspiration', Murillo's fitness and a desire to 'achieve miracles'

by Luna
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Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa at The City Ground (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Pereira confirmed defender Murillo will not be fit to face Villa: "He's trying to come back as soon as possible but he's not ready now. I don't believe it will be long, maybe he can be back in a few days, we will see."
  • He added the medical team was "working hard" on Jair Cunha but they "don't know" if he will be fit and he was also asked for a fitness update on Dan Ndoye and Ibrahima Sangare: "It's normal to have some issues at this time of the season. We'll see tomorrow, they are trying to be ready."
  • On the mood within the camp: "I think being positive is the only way to live life. We are moving our legs, we are breathing, it's good weather. The family is happy. We are ready to fight until the end, which is the only mentality I want to see."
  • Looking ahead to a European semi-final, Pereira said: "It will be good energy. What I ask every time in training and in games is for good energy. With good vibes we can achieve miracles, and in the end, we can be proud of ourselves."
  • Pereira made a point of paying tribute to Nuno Espirito Santo, who qualified Forest for the Europa League and began their journey, and Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche who both won games in charge during their run: "First of all I need to speak about the managers before me who played in the Europa League, who helped get to this moment. This is not about me, it's about the club."
  • He was asked about taking inspiration from legendary former Forest boss Brian Clough, who won the European Cup twice with the club: "If we want to put our names in the history of this club we need to get to the final and win it. Of course he is an inspiration for us. Tomorrow is a big chance for our supporters and for us to reach a final. We will do everything we can to move forward."
  • More on Clough: "He's a strong character, not just a top player and manager. This week I went into the city and saw a big statue of him. I'm not thinking about a statue, but we can imagine what he did for this city, because it stays in the city and the hearts of the people until now."
  • Pereira offered perspective when looking at the task facing his team: "Almost all of us have a fantastic life. When we say it's a big challenge, of course it is, but it's a good challenge. For some people, it is a challenge to move. This is a good challenge. I work in the Premier League. I have no reason to be worried, I just want to be there, enjoy it and compete."

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[BBC]

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