Nottingham Forest were forced to play last night’s Europa League opener without Murillo.
The Brazilian defender has sat out the last three matches in all competitions after getting injured in Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge against Arsenal.
Murillo could return against Sunderland on Saturday, but he didn’t even travel to Seville as Forest returned to European action against Real Betis.
Elliot Anderson was praised by Joe Cole after the 2-2 draw against the La Liga outfit, but it was another player who was lauded by Murillo, who watched on from home.
Murillo hails Igor Jesus as Nottingham Forest draw with Real Betis
Clearly, Murillo was always going to be watching on as he continued his recovery from the thigh problem he sustained at Arsenal.
After the game, he posted on his Instagram story about Jesus, and it’s obvious that he’s delighted with his compatriot.
Murillo posted: “You are phenomenal.”
The striker has now scored four goals in two starts for Forest, and it’s no surprise that Michail Antonio raved about Jesus after the draw with Betis.
Igor Jesus gives Ange Postecoglou a big headache
Chris Wood might be forgiven for feeling a little bit gutted this morning after scoring 20 goals last season but failing to get on the pitch for the club’s first game back in Europe for 30 years.
However, there is now a sense of horses for courses at Forest, and perhaps Jesus is the man for the occasion when it comes to the Europa League this season.
He richly deserves his flowers for his performance last night with his goals typifying the sort of striker he is, and at £10 million, he already looks like a real find.
With another game just around the corner, it will be fascinating to see what team Postecoglou decides to go with and it would take a very brave man to tell Jesus he’s not starting the game against Sunderland.
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