Oliver Glasner's Nottingham Forest defeated EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers in a pre-season friendly at Estádio da Nora in Portugal, featuring two Super Eagles stars, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Austrian tactician fielded his preferred 3-4-3 setup, the same formation he used in his time in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace. In both teams, Glasner won European trophies.
In the first half, Nigerian defender Ola Aina played as a right wing-back and a strike from Brazilian striker Igor Jesus separated both sides at the break, although Ryan Alebiosu, Aina's replacement at the AFCON 2025 tournament, played 62 minutes for Blackburn.
Aina was taken off after the restart while Taiwo Awoniyi was brought on, and he captained the side in the second half. Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga doubled the lead for Forest three minutes into the second half before Awoniyi added a third in the 50th minute.
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Nottingham Forest: Taiwo Awoniyi highlights Glasner's plans
Taiwo Awoniyi has seen his game time massively diminish over the past two years at the City Ground, largely due to his injury problems. At the moment, he's in the final year of his contract with the club, but his focus is on enjoying his football.
Speaking after the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in Portugal yesterday, the former Liverpool striker said:
“It feels good. That's what pre-season is all about, getting ready for the season, and of course getting the goals,” the 28-year-old said in an interview posted on Nottingham Forest's official YouTube page.
“It's very hot, but it's about getting fit, getting the minutes in. The goal is about getting ready before the first Premeir League game and everyone is into it.
Awoniyi also mentioned some of the ethics that had been drilled into the team by their new manager, Oliver Glasner.
“The games won during the season starts from the pre-season preparations.
“This is where we get the bits done, because when the season starts, there's very little time to get minutes that'll help to full fitness.
“So this is the time to be fit, to get the winning mentality. If we're going to achieve anything, it starts from here, the former Union Berlin striker concluded.
Nottingham Forest continue their pre-season preparations in Portugal and will play against Vitoria de Guimaraes in a friendly game on Sunday.
Friendlies against Sporting CP, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and Brest before taking on Leeds United in their opening Premier League game on August 22.
