SEVILLE, Spain: Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to European competition ended in a 2-2 Europa League draw at Real Betis on Wednesday, with Igor Jesus’s first-half double canceled out by a late Antony strike, while AS Roma opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Nice.
Forest’s return to a major European competition for the first time since March 1996 began on the wrong foot, with Betis taking the lead inside 15 minutes when Cedric Bakambu fired an effort high into the net.
The two-time European Cup winners responded swiftly as Igor Jesus leveled from close range within two minutes and then headed in again in the 23rd minute.
Both sides pushed for a breakthrough following the interval. Betis gradually seized more control as the match wore on and were finally rewarded five minutes from time, when Antony tucked away Marc Roca’s cross to ensure the spoils were shared.
With the result, Forest boss Ange Postecoglou became the club’s first permanent manager since Billy Walker in 1946 to go without a win in his opening four matches.
