Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has reflected on Blackburn Rovers' performance following their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in a preseason friendly match on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Blackburn continued their preparations for the 2026-27 season with a tough test against the Premier League side. Although the result was disappointing, the Championship club produced some encouraging moments despite being outclassed.
Brazilian striker Igor Jesus gave Forest the lead in the first half before French forward Arnaud Kalimuendo doubled the advantage after the break.
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi then came off the bench at halftime to score Forest's third goal in the second half, sealing a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Reds. The result leaves Blackburn without a win in their opening two preseason matches.
Alebiosu highlights key positives despite defeat
Ryan Alebiosu has been linked with a move away from Blackburn Rovers this summer after a difficult campaign last season, during which the club narrowly avoided relegation.
The 24-year-old started against Nottingham Forest and played 62 minutes as he continued building his match fitness ahead of the new season, even as uncertainty over his long-term future at Ewood Park remains.
Speaking to RoversTV after the match, Alebiosu said the biggest takeaway from the game was the opportunity to regain fitness after the summer break.
“It felt good to get 60 minutes in my legs and to get the rust out”, the Super Eagles defender said.
“It was a good run-around to keep the fitness up and it was a good 60 minutes for the boys, which will stand us in good stead for the season to come.
“The most important thing was the fitness. After a long break, coming back in, some of us have been ill, so getting those minutes in the legs, in this heat as well, was good for us.”
The Nigerian defender also acknowledged the quality of Nottingham Forest and believes the match showed Blackburn they can compete against top-level opposition.
Rovers are now winless in preseason after previously playing out a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley.
“Respect to Nottingham Forest, they're a big team, Premier League and they played in Europe last season as well, so it was always going to be a good battle”, the 24-year-old added.
“The boys wanted to prove that they can play at this, play against these kind of opponents and I think the boys did well.
“Playing against the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, these kind of players, it's something to learn from, seeing the way they play. It's motivational for a lot of us to be honest.
“As a group, playing against these boys, even in the first 45 when we created chances, it motivated everyone to think, ‘You know what, maybe we can play at this level, maybe we can do things this season,' so it was good motivation”, he concluded.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future at Blackburn, Alebiosu will be hoping to build on his performance when Blackburn Rovers face French side Strasbourg in their next preseason fixture on Saturday.
