Forest's Igor Jesus eyes Europa League 'dream', Villa brace for Bologna in quarters
Nottingham Forest's Igor Jesus (R) sits level as the Europa League's top scorer on seven goals (Oli SCARFF) Nottingham Forest may be fighting for Premier League survival this term but Thursday's trip to Porto for their Europa League quarter-final first leg offers top goalscorer Igor Jesus and his team-mates the chance to put relegation woes to one side as they chase a first continental title in 46 years. If manager Vitor Pereira seems to be prioritising Forest's top-flight status over their first season in European competition since 1995/96 -- resting several regular starters for their last 16 shoot-out win over Midtjylland -- the Europa League has been the stage Forest have performed best on this season. This is no more true of any Red than Igor Jesus, who arrived at the City Ground from Brazilian side Botafogo in the close-season.
The 25-year-old forward has found the net on just three occasions in 30 Premier League matches this campaign, but he has lit up the Europa League on Thursday nights, sitting level as the competition's top scorer with seven goals. "Getting to the final and winning the Europa League would be a dream come true, especially as the top scorer," Igor Jesus told UEFA's website on Tuesday. However, the 2024 Copa Libertadores winner is keenly aware that their last-eight opponents, Porto, will be a stern test of their credentials.
"Porto have got a great team," he said. "They've got a lot of quality. We've also got quality.
We know it won't be an easy game -– in fact, it'll be really tough. However, we're willing to fight. " Igor Jesus added Forest will go into Thursday's first leg at the Estadio do Dragao "really focused and looking for a positive result" to take home and defend for next week's second leg.
If Forest are struggling in 16th place in the Premier League, three points above the drop zone, Porto, on the other hand, are sitting pretty at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The English side can nonetheless comfort themselves with the fact that they have been the only team to beat Porto in Europe this term -- winning 2-0 at home on matchday three of the league phase courtesy of Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus spot-kicks. - 'Want more now' - Fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa face a difficult trip to Coppa Italia winners Bologna in their quarter-final first leg.