Nottingham Forest face an uphill battle in their Europa League last-16 tie after a 1-0 home defeat to Midtjylland in the first leg. Gue-Sung Cho's 81st-minute header was the difference, punishing Forest's wastefulness despite the hosts registering 23 shots.
Midtjylland, appearing in the last 16 of a European competition for the first time, executed a textbook away performance. Substitute Valdemar Byskov Andreasson hit the post before Cho's decisive goal, which came from a deep cross by Diao that the South Korean striker directed past Matz Sels.
Forest dominated possession and created numerous chances, but Elias Olafsson in the Midtjylland goal made several impressive saves. Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, and substitute Lorenzo Lucca all had opportunities, but the cutting edge was missing. The visitors held firm despite heavy rain and a second-half storm from Forest.
The return leg in Denmark now sees Midtjylland with a one-goal advantage. Forest will need to overturn the deficit to progress, having been the only English side among nine in European action this week to lose their first-leg tie.
