'You never know what's around the corner'

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That is why you never give up on your football team.

Everything pointed to defeat in Herning. Forest had already lost twice this season to Midtjylland, they were struggling to score goals and then at 16:30 GMT came the news that Vitor Pereira had made nine changes to his team, handing starts to several players who had failed to perform throughout the season.

But thanks to Ryan Yates' leadership, an imperious defensive display from Nikola Milenkovic, and coming-of-age performances from James McAtee and Zach Abbott, they found a way to win on what turned out to be one of the most glorious nights in Forest's recent history.

One fan described it to me in the hotel on Friday morning as the "anti-Braga" performance - the opposite of the rain-soaked game in Portugal which highlighted a disconnect between club and fans. Well the connection was very much back last night.

Seeing Yates walk back on to the pitch long after the final penalty had been skied, to applaud the fans again and show his appreciation for the air miles they've put in, showed the relationship in this messed-up, beautiful and chaotic season, is again strong.

This season has been wild. You never know what's around the corner. But that's why it's so addictive. And that's why you never give up on your football club. And it's why fans have already been busy booking flights to Porto for the quarter-final.

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