### Nottingham Forest Fans Slam Sangaré and Boly After Costly Betis Draw
Nottingham Forest marked their return to European football after 29 years with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League opener on September 24, 2025, at Seville’s Estadio de la Cartuja. Igor Jesus’s stunning first-half brace turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead, igniting the traveling Reds. However, a dominant Betis second half ended with Antony’s 85th-minute equalizer, leaving Forest fans furious over two substitutions that they believe “cost them the win.”
Ibrahim Sangaré, the towering Ivorian midfielder, came on in the 84th minute to bolster the midfield as Forest clung to their lead. But within moments, a misplaced pass from Sangaré sparked a counter, allowing Betis to equalize through Antony. Fans took to social media, branding him “nowhere near good enough” for Europe’s elite stage. “Sangaré’s cameo was a disaster—lost the ball, lost the game,” posted one supporter, reflecting widespread frustration over his sluggish decision-making and failure to halt Betis’s momentum.
Willy Boly, the veteran defender subbed on around the hour mark, also drew heavy criticism. Brought in to strengthen the backline amid Betis’s growing pressure, the 34-year-old center-back struggled. A near-penalty giveaway in the box—waved away by VAR—exposed his rustiness, while his tiring legs contributed to Forest’s disorganized defense. “Boly’s extension was a mistake; he cost us two goals tonight,” raged a fan on X, pointing to his positional errors that allowed Bakambu to slip the offside trap for Betis’s opener and enabled the cross for Antony’s equalizer. Social media buzzed with memes and rants: “Sangaré and Boly are dinosaurs in Europe—time to evolve or get benched.”
Under new boss Ange Postecoglou, Forest showed promise, controlling 44.6% of possession and outshooting Betis, but the substitutions highlighted squad depth issues. With a grueling schedule ahead, fans are demanding changes. “These two aren’t Premier League quality, let alone Europa,” one posted, capturing the mood. Forest earned a hard-fought point, but the mistakes of Sangaré and Boly left supporters questioning their European credentials. The Tricky Trees’ continental dream now hangs in the balance.
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