Having tied with Real Madrid in the away game, the Forest team already had the upper hand in the duel for the top four spots between the two teams. However, this advantage was not secure. Twain dared not say his team would be able to reach the semi-finals. His team was competing in two tournaments, so he had to be careful. This season was not the same as last season, when he decided on the approach to give up the league tournament to guarantee the Champions League, so that the team could prepare to compete in just one tournament. At present, Twain's team needed to put its energy in both the league tournament and Champions League. The team had to close the gap in score with Manchester United in the Premier League and strive to reach the Champions League finals for the third time in a row.
Back in Nottingham for the challenge against the underdog team, Birmingham City, in the league tournament, Twain would make a rotation.
