Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest were left reeling after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, and Andoni Iraola’s post-match remarks are unlikely to lighten the mood.
In the buildup to the game, Iraola had been complimentary of Forest, labeling their away record as “ridiculous” during his pre-match press conference. However, Forest’s disastrous showing at the Vitality Stadium marked a harsh reality check, as the team suffered their first loss of 2025 in emphatic fashion.
Espirito Santo appeared particularly frustrated with Murillo’s performance, but the defeat was a collective failure, with no Forest player delivering a performance to be proud of. The Forest manager now faces the challenge of rallying his team at Wilford Lane ahead of their next fixture against Brighton, ensuring that such a performance is not repeated.
While Forest fans voiced their dissatisfaction with players like Jota Silva, Iraola focused on the overall ineffectiveness of his opponents during his post-match interview, highlighting how Bournemouth exploited Espirito Santo’s tactics.
Andoni Iraola on Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactics vs Bournemouth
Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo after the game, Iraola offered a candid assessment of the match and Forest’s tactical shortcomings.
“I think it’s a great result. Considering especially who we had in front of us, I think it was a very good performance.
“For me, the key of the game probably was to score first, because it’s a team that they’ve basically been winning all the games from the first half, so the game becomes more difficult.
“And I think to be ahead and to make them change a little bit their approach. I think it was key.”
Iraola’s comments underline a key issue for Forest: their inability to adapt once their defensive line is breached early. While Espirito Santo has been praised for his tactical acumen this season, Saturday’s result exposed a critical flaw in Forest’s lack of flexibility.
Nottingham Forest lacked a plan B against Bournemouth
Once Justin Kluivert opened the scoring in the ninth minute, Forest’s defence struggled to contain Bournemouth’s relentless attacks. Espirito Santo and his team appeared to have no effective response to the early setback, leaving the game to spiral out of control.
These numbers highlight Bournemouth’s dominance, particularly in winning tackles and duels, which allowed them to control the game and expose Forest’s fragile defence. The Cherries also excelled in successful dribbles, using the midfield to overwhelm Forest’s Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson, creating countless opportunities in the final third.
Bournemouth’s superior control translated into double the shots on target compared to Forest, reflected in their much higher expected goals (xG).
Adjustments needed for Nottingham Forest
Espirito Santo doesn’t need to overhaul his tactical approach, as figures like Alan Shearer have praised Forest’s playing style this season. However, the Bournemouth defeat revealed the need for an effective plan B. If other Premier League teams replicate Iraola’s strategy, Forest could face further struggles unless they develop alternative solutions to adapt in-game.
