--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-08-01T14:02:29.685Z last_updated: 2026-07-31T20:47:08+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/nottingham-forest/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubm90dGluZ2hhbXBvc3QuY29tL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL2Zvb3RiYWxsLW5ld3Mvbm90dGluZ2hhbS1mb3Jlc3QtcGxheWVyLXJhdGluZ3Mtc3BvcnRpbmctMTEwODgwOTM --- # Sporting Lisbon 4-1 Nottingham Forest notebook: Player ratings as Reds beaten - **Source:** - **Published:** 31 Jul - **Club:** Nottingham Forest - **Original URL:** https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-player-ratings-sporting-11088093 A Reds team had played against Portimonense SAD in a behind closed doors match earlier in the day. Goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and Xaver Schlager clinched a 2-1 win for Oliver Glasner’s side. They took to the Estadio Algarve pitch looking to make it five unbeaten in pre-season, and it didn’t take them long to take the lead - just two minutes in fact. Morgan Gibbs-White had played a lovely through-ball for Chris Wood to run on to, and when the New Zealand international’s effort was parried Igor Jesus was on hand to poke home. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Get all the Nottingham Forest latest via our Facebook page Matz Sels was called into action to deny Rodrigo Zalazar soon after, then did the same to Goncalo Inacio as the quarter-hour approached. But from the resulting corner the Sporting man beat Chris Wood in the air to level with 14 minutes on the clock. It was a sloppy goal for Forest to concede but they continued to look dangerous going forward before the break, playing some lovely football. Indeed, set-pieces proved to be their opponents’ greatest threat in the opening 45 minutes. Wood had a few opportunities to restore the Reds’ lead after the restart but couldn’t quite make the most of them. His effort from a corner was blocked, then he headed a Neco Williams cross wide and was unable to finish from a tight angle after a lucky bounce from closing down the goalkeeper. Sels thwarted Fotis Ioannidis before the hour but he could do little about Issa Doumbia’s strike in the 61st minute. Rafael Nel put a looping header past the Belgian to make it two goals in the space of four minutes for Sporting. Nel grabbed his second of the evening in the closing minutes as Glasner’s men were toppled for the first time this summer. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players against Sporting… Matz Sels: Made some decent saves, even if there will be some frustration with the goals conceded. Set-pieces caused the Reds a few difficulties in the first half, then their opponents stepped things up in the second. Rating: 6/10 Zach Abbott: Caught out for Sporting’s second and third goals, with the Portuguese outfit showing their class as Forest tired. Perhaps indicates a loan might be good for the youngster this coming season, to help him get minutes. Rating: 5/10 Nikola Milenkovic: Showed his composure with a lovely bit of skill in his own box in the first half and was generally solid throughout. Is unlikely to have either Abbott or Jair alongside him when the season starts but did his best to help them along. Rating: 7/10 Jair Cunha: Played on the left of the back three rather than his favoured right. Second half wasn’t particularly comfortable for the Reds’ defence and their weary bodies were punished with the goals conceded. Rating: 6/10 Get the best Nottingham Forest news, analysis and more straight to your Inbox! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch. Neco Williams: Started on the right, rather than his usual left flank. It doesn’t matter where the Welshman plays, though, as he puts in the work and always looks to get forward regardless. Put some lovely balls in. Rating: 7/10 Nicolas Dominguez: Fitness was tested as he put quite the shift in but he proved up to the task. Seems like a man eager to impress, given there is an Elliot Anderson-sized hole in the team and further midfield reinforcements being sought. Rating: 7/10 James McAtee: Glasner clearly wants to take a good look at him in a deeper role, having been impressed with him on the training ground. Did well and looks like he could have a big season ahead of him. Rating: 8/10 Ola Aina: A testing workout in the wing-back role. Started on the left then swapped flanks with Williams in the second half. Tired as the match went on - not that he was alone on that front as the XI played the full 90 minutes. Rating: 6/10 Morgan Gibbs-White: Involved in some delightful play in the first half as Forest started on the front foot. Terrific pass to Wood in the build-up to the opening goal. Quieter after the break as Sporting were on top. Rating: 7/10 Igor Jesus: The Brazilian has been on fire in pre-season - and long may it continue. It is four goals in four games now for him, which will act as a terrific confidence booster ahead of the new campaign if he can keep this form up. Rating: 8/10 Chris Wood: Did his bit for Jesus’ goal with an effort that was parried, but missed some decent chances early in the second half. Sure he would have backed himself to take one of them at least. Rating: 6/10 Subs not used: John, Bott, Richards, Bakwa, McDonnell, Nwosu. Newcomer Xaver Schlager scored earlier in the day as the Reds beat Portimonense SAD 2-1 in a behind closed doors outing. With Glasner sharing the minutes around, it meant another opportunity for James McAtee to take up a bit of a deeper role at the Estadio Algarve. Playing the former Manchester City man there more regularly looks to be an option his manager is giving much thought to. It has suited him so far - with Sporting another step up in opposition for Forest. This is a big season for McAtee. His first year on the banks of the Trent didn’t pan out as hoped, although he was not helped by having four different head coaches come through the doors. There has never been any question about his quality. Glasner is not the first to have been impressed by the skills McAtee has shown on the training ground. Getting him to transfer that talent onto the pitch when the serious action starts is the challenge. There is competition for places in the centre of the pitch, with the Reds targeting another midfielder after bringing Schlager in, but with McAtee catching the eye once again it would not be a surprise if he gets the nod to make the starting XI come August.