Glasner identifies key positive in Nottingham Forest win over Leverkusen

Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has identified a specific positive aspect of his team's performance following their 2-1 pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The win served as the penultimate friendly for Forest before they begin their Premier League campaign against Leeds United next week.

Speaking after the match, Glasner noted that the second half of the game stood out to him. He specifically highlighted the players' determination during the final thirty minutes, noting a desire to secure the win and prevent the result from slipping away. He described this competitive attitude as a high standard for a pre-season fixture.

Addressing the tactical side of the performance, the Austrian coach pointed to the team's improved presence inside the penalty area. He mentioned that the team successfully executed instructions from previous matches to occupy that space more effectively and created several significant scoring opportunities. However, he also observed that Leverkusen managed to find gaps in the Forest defense, leading to moments of confusion regarding space coverage.

Glasner remains realistic about his squad's readiness for the upcoming season. Having taken charge at the start of July, he noted that the short preparation window and the impact of the summer World Cup have delayed the adaptation process. He stated that the team will not be in peak condition at the start of the season, suggesting that achieving readiness in such a short timeframe would require near-magical circumstances.

Individual player updates were also provided during the assessment. Diomande made his first appearance for the club after participating in a single training session. Additionally, Murillo was given 45 minutes of action against the German side as he continues his return from a four-month injury, having completed ten days of training.