Yates: Forest still dreaming of winning the Europa League

Ryan Yates remains optimistic that Nottingham Forest can win the Europa League after reaching the quarter-finals of the competition with victory over Midtjylland.

Yates was one of the standout performers for Vitor Pereira’s side on Thursday, with his stunning 52nd-minute strike putting Forest two goals up in the second leg at MCH Arena.

Nicolas Domínguez had put the Premier League side in front five minutes before half-time, but after Yates’ fine finish, Martin Erlic levelled the tie in the 69th minute.

Both sides were unable to find a way through in extra-time, with a penalty shoot-out deciding who went through, and it was Pereira’s men who kept their cool from 12 yards out.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare and Neco Williams were all on target, with Midtjylland missing all three of their penalties, which included Cho Gue-Sung and Aral Simsir both hitting the left post.

The result saw Forest become the first ever English team to progress from/win a UEFA Cup/Europa League knockout stage tie having lost the first leg at home.

Yates, however, thinks Forest have a chance of going all the way, with the Opta supercomputer handing them an 8% chance of lifting the title, with their last-eight opponents, Porto, the second-most likely to win the tournament at 16% in its simulations.

“Just buzzing to be through. Penalties are always nervy, but the lads stepped up. Really pleased,” Yates told TNT Sports.

“The journey’s not over yet – we’re still dreaming. Shout out to the fans at home and the ones that have travelled here spending money in a difficult time.

“From minute one they really helped us. It took penalties, but we’re through, so that’s all that matters.

This is what it means. pic.twitter.com/4b0LYkKecz

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) March 19, 2026

“Considering the changes, it just shows the strength we have, the spirit and, at this stage of the season, that’s what it’s all about – showing togetherness, fighting for each other.

“A lot of lads today who haven’t played many minutes will now be looking for more.

“You want to keep momentum going, don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We will recover well and head to Spurs this weekend.”

Forest have now reached at least the quarter-finals in five of their seven campaigns in major UEFA competition, failing only in 1980-81 (European Cup) and 1984-85 (UEFA Cup).

But Pereira took a risk with his team selection, with only Dominguez and Nikola Milenkovic retaining their places following their goalless draw with Fulham in the Premier League.

The likes of Yates, James McAtee, Lorenzo Lucca and Dilane Bakwa were given the chance to shine, and Pereira was thrilled with their impact on the European stage.

“Fantastic – I started to do subs not because we were playing badly but to balance the energy and be ready for Sunday,” Pereira added.

“It’s important [to win] – the energy and spirit are different when we win. I have very good players, and we showed everything today – team spirit and character.

“I don’t have any doubt that we have the quality.

“We will compete for our targets. I want to thank the supporters too, because today they deserved to keep going in this competition.”