By Deduction – Football Data & Performance Intelligence for Nigerian Players

Nottingham Forest secured a place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals with a 1–0 victory over Porto at the City Ground, sealing a 2–1 aggregate win.

The match featured three Nigerian players, with Ola Aina delivering a standout performance for Forest, while Zaidu Sanusi and Terem Moffi featured for Porto.

⭐ Ola Aina – Defensive Control and Progression (7.3)

6

Aina produced a complete full-back performance, combining defensive discipline with strong ball progression.

📊 Performance Data

• Match Rating: 7.3
• Defensive Contributions: 8
• Tackles Won: 1/1
• Interceptions: 2
• Clearances: 5
• Recoveries: 5

⚔️ Duels

• Ground Duels Won: 2/6
• Aerial Duels Won: 3/3 (100%)

🎯 Passing & Possession

• Accurate Passes: 38/42 (90%)
• Opposition Half: 22/26 (85%)
• Own Half: 16/16 (100%)
• Touches: 63

🚀 Ball Carrying & Progression

• Carries: 11
• Total Carrying Distance: 141.4m
• Progressive Carries: 3
• Total Progression: 64.1m
• Progressive Distance: 89.9m
• Longest Progressive Carry: 34.6m

🔎 Deduction Insight

Aina combined defensive solidity with elite progression, controlling his flank and driving transitions.

🛡️ Zaidu Sanusi – Steady but Limited Influence (6.7)

6

Sanusi started for Porto but was substituted at the beginning of the second half.

📊 Performance Data

• Match Rating: 6.7
• Defensive Contributions: 2
• Tackles Won: 1/2
• Recoveries: 1

⚔️ Duels

• Ground Duels Won: 3/3
• Aerial Duels Won: 1/2

🎯 Passing

• Accurate Passes: 16/20 (80%)
• Opposition Half: 2/4 (50%)
• Own Half: 14/16 (88%)
• Long Balls: 1/1 (100%)

🚀 Carrying

• Carries: 4
• Total Carrying Distance: 46.3m
• Total Progression: 33.8m

🔎 Deduction Insight

Sanusi was efficient in duels and safe in possession, but had limited overall influence before his substitution.

⚽ Terem Moffi – Struggled to Convert (6.1)

4

Moffi played 66 minutes but was unable to make his attacking opportunities count.

📊 Performance Data

• Match Rating: 6.1
• xG: 0.44 | xGOT: 0.08
• Shots: 1 (1 on target)
• Big Chances Missed: 2

🎯 Passing

• Accurate Passes: 2/8 (25%)
• Opposition Half: 1/6 (17%)

⚔️ Duels

• Ground Duels Won: 3/8
• Aerial Duels Won: 1/3

🚀 Carrying

• Carries: 4
• Total Carrying Distance: 30.3m
• Total Progression: 16.1m

🔎 Deduction Insight

Moffi’s performance was defined by inefficiency in key moments, particularly in front of goal and in possession.

📊 Match Summary – Nigerian Contributions

Player

Rating

Key Strength

Key Limitation

Ola Aina

7.3

Defensive control + progression

Limited ground duel success

Zaidu Sanusi

6.7

Efficiency in duels

Low influence

Terem Moffi

6.1

Positioning

Finishing & ball retention

🧠 Deduction Verdict

This match highlighted contrasting performances:

• Aina → Complete, high-level full-back performance
• Sanusi → Stable but limited impact
• Moffi → Struggled in decisive attacking moments

🔥 Final Take

Nottingham Forest’s progression to the semi-finals was driven by defensive control and tactical discipline, with Ola Aina playing a key role.

Deduction Take:
Aina didn’t just play — he controlled his side of the pitch and helped define the outcome.

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