European Night: Kutesa and Ndoye Score, But Teams Fall Short
Two Romand forwards lit up Thursday’s European action with goals for AEK Athens and Nottingham Forest, yet both efforts ended in disappointment as their teams collected contrasting results on the opening matchday of the season’s group stages. While Dereck Kutesa’s strike underscored his growing contribution for AEK, Dan Ndoye’s goal highlighted his important role for Forest, even as both stories ended with a setback for their clubs.
Early hope for AEK Athens but a night of Slovenian resilience
Kutesa’s opener and an eventual 3-1 defeat in Celje
Dereck Kutesa opened the scoring for AEK Athens in the 7th minute on the Slovenian turf of Celje, drilling home a shot that took a deflection and found the net. It marked the Geneva-born forward’s third goal in the Conference League across the season’s early phase, signaling his continued importance as a source of goals for the Greek side in European competition.
However, Celje, inspired by a rousing home display, turned the game on its head. Franko Kovacevic orchestrated a clinical comeback, completing a hat-trick that swung momentum and left Celje ahead by the final whistle. The Slovenian side secured a 3-1 victory on opening night of the Conference League group stage, offering a stark reminder that comfortable leads in Europe are rarely secure.
Ndoye’s European return: a valiant strike in a tough night for Forest
Ndoye’s equalizer in the 22nd minute
Across the continent, Dan Ndoye reminded observers of his quality with a well-worked finish for Nottingham Forest, sealing a second goal for the visitors in a 3-2 defeat to Midtjylland. The Vevey-born forward finished off a coordinated team move in the 22nd minute, striking with composure to level the score and register his second goal for Forest in European colors. The home side battled bravely, but the Danish side’s late goals sealed a challenging start to Forest’s European campaign.
Forest’s European run continues with a draw in Seville
Nottingham’s return to continental competition has not been straightforward. On the first matchday of their Europa League campaign, Forest were held to a 1-1 draw in Seville against Real Betis, a result that underscored the demanding nature of this season’s group stage. The performance offered a glimmer of cohesion for a squad adapting to European rhythms, even as the overall outcomes remained mixed for the Romans of the English capital club.
What these results mean for their campaigns
For AEK Athens, the setback in Celje is a reminder that while Kutesa can find the net, consistency across an entire European group is essential. The Conference League’s group stage demands depth and tactical flexibility, and AEK will need to tighten defense after taking an early lead. Kutesa’s early strike demonstrates his knack for timely finishes, but the team’s inability to maintain control against a resolute Celje side will likely fuel a push to reassert balance in forthcoming fixtures.
Nottingham Forest face a similarly stern reality check. Ndoye’s goal showed the value of his contribution up front, and the dynamic of Forest’s lineup offers hope for more coordinated attacks. Yet the 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland and a draw in Seville illustrate the uphill climb for a club rebuilding its European identity. The challenge will be managing the double tempo of league and continent while building confidence in both defense and attacking transitions.
Looking ahead: what to watch for
As the Conference League group stages unfold, Kutesa’s continued influence for AEK Athens will be a barometer of their capacity to pick up points away from home and compete with strong sides on the road. For Ndoye and Forest, the emphasis will be on maintaining attacking momentum and tightening the gaps that allowed late capitulations. Both players, representing Romand roots on a European stage, are showing their ability to rise to the occasion even when the final scores aren’t favorable. The upcoming fixtures will be telling about how these players adapt as their teams navigate the demands of European football this season.
