Nottingham Forest's striker shortage and Dyche saying the club are "working" on a signing suggest low-scoring games may persist; punters might back under 2.5 goals or Braga to win until a recognised forward arrives. If Lorenzo Lucca is signed, consider Forest goals markets improving and backing Forest to score more.
Dyche: Forest "working" on striker after Europa League blow
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche admitted the club are actively trying to recruit a recognised centre-forward after a damaging 1-0 Europa League defeat at Braga. The loss all-but condemns Forest to the play-off round and highlighted a clear shortage in the final third.
Braga defeat underscored attacking issues
Forest were forced to deploy winger Dan Ndoye as a makeshift number nine after Igor Jesus picked up an injury and Taiwo Awoniyi remains unregistered. The match turned on a dramatic sequence: Morgan Gibbs-White missed a penalty and, less than a minute later, skipper Ryan Yates conceded an own goal to hand Braga the win.
Dyche: "One minute of madness"
Dyche described the result as "very frustrating" and blamed a brief lapse that cost his side dearly. "One minute of madness. A game we never looked in trouble," he said, adding that the team showed effort but lacked the "killer edge" to take control. He stressed the balance needed to protect players handling heavy minutes while still giving others opportunities.
Transfer target: Lorenzo Lucca linked
Forest have been linked with Italy forward Lorenzo Lucca, currently on loan at Napoli from Udinese, and Dyche confirmed the club are "certainly working on it." The addition of a recognised striker would address immediate selection problems and could change Forest's attacking trajectory in Europe and domestically.
Tactical implications and squad management
Dyche highlighted the juggling act of managing a squad with players carrying significant minutes and the desire to let fringe players showcase themselves. Without a reliable centre-forward, Forest have had to compromise their usual tactical approach, which contributed to a match they felt they should not have lost.
What this means for the season
The defeat leaves Forest needing to regroup in the Europa League and places extra emphasis on the January window to secure attacking reinforcements. A new striker would not only bolster immediate goal threats but also give Dyche tactical flexibility across competitions.
Manager outlook and next steps
Dyche insisted the players are working hard in training and that the club remain determined to make progress in the competition. He emphasised the fine line between rotating to protect players and maintaining competitive edge, signalling further adjustments could follow if transfer business comes to fruition.
Nottingham Forest agree loan deal with Napoli for Lorenzo Lucca
Forest were without a recognised frontman as they slumped to a damaging 1-0 defeat in the Europa League at Portuguese club Braga.
The Independent
