Awoniyi says Nottingham Forest’s season ‘starts now’ as Glasner’s style delivers pre-season boost

Taiwo Awoniyi believes Nottingham Forest’s push for the new campaign is being built in Portugal after the striker helped Oliver Glasner’s side seal a 3-0 pre-season win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Nigerian forward came off the bench at Estadio da Nora to captain Forest in the second half and score their third goal in a comfortable victory over the EFL Championship club.

Glasner, appointed last season, again used his favoured 3-4-3 system – the shape he previously deployed at Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace, where he lifted European silverware with both clubs.

Forest took a narrow lead into half-time thanks to Brazilian striker Igor Jesus, before further goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga and Awoniyi underlined the Premier League side’s superiority in the Algarve.

Super Eagles duo feature in Portugal

Two Nigeria internationals were involved, with Ola Aina starting for Forest at right wing-back and Awoniyi introduced after the interval.

Aina’s first-half display came in Glasner’s wing-back role on the right, while his international team-mate Ryan Alebiosu – who deputised for him at the AFCON 2025 tournament – featured for Blackburn and completed 62 minutes.

Aina was withdrawn at the break as part of a raft of changes, with Awoniyi sent on and handed the captain’s armband for the second period.

Kalimuendo-Muinga quickly doubled Forest’s advantage three minutes after the restart, before Awoniyi struck in the 50th minute to make it 3-0 and complete the scoring.

Awoniyi focused on fitness and enjoyment

Awoniyi’s recent time at the City Ground has been disrupted by injury, significantly limiting his minutes over the last two seasons.

The 28-year-old is now into the final year of his contract, but he insists his priority is simply to be on the pitch and enjoy his football.

“It feels good. That’s what pre-season is all about, getting ready for the season, and of course getting the goals,” the former Liverpool striker said in an interview posted on Nottingham Forest’s official YouTube page after the win over Blackburn.

“It’s very hot, but it’s about getting fit, getting the minutes in. The goal is about getting ready before the first Premeir League game and everyone is into it.”

‘If we’re going to achieve anything, it starts from here’

Awoniyi also highlighted the standards being set by Glasner as the Austrian head coach works through his first full pre-season with the squad.

“The games won during the season starts from the pre-season preparations.

“This is where we get the bits done, because when the season starts, there’s very little time to get minutes that’ll help to full fitness.

“So this is the time to be fit, to get the winning mentality. If we’re going to achieve anything, it starts from here,” the former Union Berlin forward concluded.

Tough warm-up schedule before Leeds opener

Forest are continuing a packed pre-season schedule in Portugal and will face Vitoria de Guimaraes in another friendly on Sunday.

Further high-profile tests against Sporting CP, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Brest are to follow as Glasner fine-tunes his side ahead of the new campaign.

Forest then turn their attention to competitive action, with Leeds United awaiting in their opening Premier League fixture on 22 August.