Union Berlin v Nottingham Forest player ratings as Henderson impresses in tough test

Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 by Union Berlin in their fifth pre-season friendly of the summer.

A step up in opposition for the Reds, Union Berlin provided a good test. The hosts saw plenty of the ball, pressed well when they didn’t have it and were a goal to the good at the break.

Forest took a while to get going in Germany, having to chase possession for long spells. Dean Henderson was called into action early on, making a fine save at full stretch to push away a header on the five-minute mark.

But the visitors gradually began to work their way into the game, and were desperately close to opening the scoring. New signing Harry Toffolo tried his luck from range with a fierce, swerving effort which cannoned off the post before the 20-minute mark.

It was their opponents who made the breakthrough, however. A sloppy pass from Steve Cook was pounced upon, and although the Reds defender blocked the initial cross from Sheraldo Becker, the ball fell kindly for it to be put back into the box. Jordan Siebatcheu was on hand to slot home from close range in the 36th minute.

There was almost an immediate reaction from the Reds. A lung-busting run by Brennan Johnson down the left picked out Taiwo Awoniyi, whose strike was driven wide to leave Steve Cooper’s side trailing at the interval.

The second half saw few chances at either end of the pitch. Good defending by substitute Moussa Niakhate put off Siebatcheu when he went to finish from close range, while Cafu tried his luck with a deflected free-kick for Forest.

Henderson had to make another good stop late on, and it finished 1-0 to the hosts. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players against Union Berlin.

Dean Henderson: Pulled off a brilliant save in the