Nottingham Forest started the 2025/26 season spectacularly with a decisive 3-1 victory over Brentford at the City Ground. However, for Forest’s goalkeeping coach, Rui Barbosa, it proved to be an unforgettable day – though he might wish it wasn’t.
Following Chris Wood’s goal just five minutes into the game, Barbosa celebrated enthusiastically, jumping from his seat only to collide with the dugout, which led to him sustaining a bleeding head injury.
The Portuguese coach received prompt medical attention, and Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo later disclosed that Barbosa needed stitches to close a severe cut on his head.
“He has six stitches!” Santo said. “It was a nasty one. A bad one. He was dizzy.”
Concerning the remainder of the match – which saw Forest taking a 3-0 lead by half-time, thanks to a brace from Wood and an incredible diving header from summer acquisition Dan Ndoye – Santo was clearly thrilled.
“I am delighted,” he stated post-match. “The way we started the game was incredible. We played well, we dominated, and scoring a goal in the first five minutes boosted the team and the energy in the stadium.”
One thing’s for sure: Barbosa definitely felt that energy – and the sharp end of the dugout – more than most.
