Sturm Graz 0-0 Nottingham Forest: Report as Gibbs-White penalty miss extends winless run

Morgan Gibbs-White’s missed penalty proved costly as Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw by Sturm Graz in the Europa League.

Sean Dyche started his tenure as Forest manager with a 2-0 win over Porto in this competition last month, but he has not tasted victory since, that triumph followed up with a Premier League defeat to Bournemouth and a draw with Manchester United.

His winless run was extended to three games in Graz as a much-changed Forest side failed to break down the Austrian Bundesliga champions, with Gibbs-White spurning their best chance.

Gibbs White’s 35th-minute spot-kick was saved by Oliver Christensen, and Forest were frustrated thereafter, Nicolas Dominguez hitting the crossbar late on as the visitors were held to a stalemate that leaves them with one win from four games in the league phase.

Sturm Graz 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Forest started brightly and went close in the 10th minute when James McAtee fired narrowly wide from close range, and it looked as if there would be an onslaught from Forest when Ryan Yates had a header cleared off the line.

For all Forest’s early pressure, it was Sturm Graz who put the ball in the net in the 27th minute when Maurice Malone tapped in on the rebound after Otar Kiteishvili’s effort was kept out by John Victor. However, Malone’s celebrations were short-lived as the flag was correctly raised for offside.

The hosts’ frustrations were heightened when Emanuel Aiwu handled in the area, but Christensen spared his team-mate’s blushes by getting down to his left to keep out Gibbs White’s tame penalty.

Tomi Horvat drew another save from Victor shortly before half-time, yet it was Dyche’s men who continued to create the better opportunities after the interval.

Yates went close a minute into the second half before Ibrahim Sangare and Nikola Milenkovic also spurned opportunities.

Dominguez almost secured a dramatic victory, but his deflected drive rattled the frame of the goal, marking a fitting end to a game that left Forest wondering what might have been.

Where does the result leave Nottingham Forest?

Forest have five points to their name, leaving them 18th in the Europa League table.

Their next Europa League game will see them face Malmo at the City Ground on November 27.

Of more immediate concern is Sunday’s key Premier League clash with Leeds United as Forest seek only their second domestic win of the season. That will be followed by the international break.