Tiago Silva has shared his thoughts ahead of FC Porto’s visit to the City Ground, given his Nottingham Forest experience. He told O Jogo that the English side are still struggling to recover after Nuno Espírito Santo’s dismissal.
The Portuguese playmaker spent the 2019/20 season at Nottingham Forest, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 47 appearances. Now playing for Al Rayyan in Qatar, he says he still follows the club closely.
“It’s a special club for me and I believe it will be a great game, but between teams in completely opposite emotional states”, he revealed.
“Nottingham Forest are going through a long period without winning, and a second coach has already been sacked without getting a victory. It’s clear that things didn’t get better after Nuno’s departure,” Tiago Silva stressed.
Nottingham Forest need to beware
The midfielder believes that FC Porto will arrive in England full of confidence. He faced Farioli’s side earlier this season while at Vitória Guimarães and was impressed by the transformation.
“They’re playing very well and with great confidence. Adding good performances to leading the league gives them the perfect energy,” he added.
Silva noted that the new Porto under Farioli play lighter, faster and with collective belief. He described them as “dynamic and suffocating” when pressing high up the pitch, a style that made his side struggle to keep possession.
A warning for Farioli’s men
Still, he warned that Wednesday’s game will not be easy. “If FC Porto take the game to a physical level, they might struggle because the English like that. But if they put the ball on the ground and play their game, they’ll have every chance to win.”
Beyond his praise, Silva’s comments underline how Nottingham Forest’s instability under Evangelos Marinakis contrasts with Porto’s current momentum.
The English club are still searching for form under their third coach of the season, while the Portuguese champions travel confident and in control. For Silva, that difference in energy could define the night at the City Ground.
