Forest FA Cup Semi No Different to Other Games, Says Nuno

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2025 Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2025 Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Forest FA Cup Semi No Different to Other Games, Says Nuno

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2025 Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2025 Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Nottingham Forest compete in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 this weekend, but with the club also aiming for Champions League qualification, the tie holds no more importance than their other games, manager Nuno Espirito Santo said on Friday.

Forest won that last semi-final but have not lifted the FA Cup since 1959, while their most recent trophy win was a League Cup success in 1990 which came during the club's golden era under Brian Clough.

Clough's Forest won the league title in 1978, back-to-back European Cups and four English League Cups, but were relegated in 1993 in his last season at the club.

Nuno has brought the good times back to the City Ground, and does not feel the need to change his approach ahead of Sunday's quarter-final clash with Manchester City.

"Inside our preparation, this game is not different from any other one," the Portuguese coach told reporters.

"So we have retained our normal cycle of preparation and we approach the same, knowing that it's going to be a tough match but it's a special occasion, we have to enjoy it.

"The importance of the game is exactly the same as the previous one, and the next one. So the approach is exactly the same."

Forest are fourth in the league standings, one point behind Manchester City, and aiming for a return to Europe's premier club competition for the first time since 1980.

After suffering two consecutive league losses, Forest bounced back with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, which was also a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Cup semis.

"It helps a lot. The best way to prepare the match is when you perform well in the previous one," Nuno said.

"And I think we did, we bounced back from previous performances and the players were good, so we are confident."

Forest reached the semi-final with three consecutive penalty shooutout wins against Exeter City, Ispwich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, and the winner of Sunday's game will meet either Crystal Palace or Aston Villa who play on Saturday.



Barcelona Signs Goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Crosstown Rival Espanyol

Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
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Barcelona Signs Goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Crosstown Rival Espanyol

Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)

Barcelona is signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who was once linked to a move to Arsenal, to a six-year contract, the Spanish champion said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Garcia recently finished a stellar first season in La Liga when he led all goalkeepers in saves with an average of almost four a game.

He will now join Espanyol’s main rival on a contract until June 2031.

Barcelona said it activated a release clause of 25 million euros ($28.5 million) and that Garcia is expected to sign the contract Friday in a “private ceremony” at the club's offices.

The fee could help Espanyol reinforce a squad after it only avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Garcia had been close to a possible move to Arsenal last summer after he helped Spain win Olympic gold in Paris. He stayed put and was one of Espanyol’s best players.

Garcia has yet to debut for Spain’s senior side, but it's considered only a matter of time before he does if he continues to play well. He helped Spain win the Olympic gold medal in Paris last year.

“The time has come to part ways. Today I say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15,” he said on social media. “I’ve given everything to help the team, to represent this badge with the utmost dedication, and to live up to what it means to wear this shirt."

Garcia said he would understand the backlash from Espanyol fans for him joining its rival.

“I know this decision won’t be easy for everyone to understand,” he said. “I’m not asking you to do so. But I do want you to know that it was a carefully considered decision, considering not only my career, but also what’s best for the club, my family, and me.”

Garcia's arrival to Barcelona puts in question the role of veteran Marc-André ter Stegen, who was injured most of the season. Ter Stegen is under contract through 2028.

Following Ter Stegen’s injury, Barcelona convinced Wojciech Szczęsny to come out of retirement and sign a contract for the remainder of last season. Barcelona’s other goalkeeper is Inaki Pena.

While several Barcelona players have joined Espanyol later in their careers, it is rare for an Espanyol player to move to Barcelona. Their derbies are heated affairs.

Barcelona won the Spanish league this year.