Nottingham Forest went into the season aiming to win the Europa League.
That desire grew again under Ange Postecoglou – however briefly – as he looked to defend the title he won with Tottenham, telling the players the trophy was a stated aim.
So, with Forest in a European quarter-final for the first time in 30 years as they look to dispatch Porto, it stands to reason winning the competition is a goal – and a realistic one.
Yet, Vitor Pereira has to strike a fine balance between European progression and Premier League survival.
Forest are just three points above the drop zone with seven games left as they battle to stay up.
It would, perhaps, be a perfect snapshot of the season should Forest get relegated and win the Europa League – to play Champions League in the Championship – after four managers during a chaotic campaign.
Aston Villa or Bologna await in the semi-final, providing Forest get past Porto – who they beat 2-0 in the group phase in October.
Porto have other targets as well – top of the league, they are aiming to win the title for the first time in four years.
It could mean changes for the clash at the Estadio do Dragao – from both teams – as they look to protect themselves on all fronts.
Pereira – returning to Porto where he won two league titles – batted away questions about priorities during his pre-match news conference on Wednesday, but Forest's two ambitions remain in their grasp – survival and European glory.
