Xaver Schlager provided the defining moment of Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 victory over Manchester City, dispossessing Elliot Anderson before setting Liam Delap on his way to doubling the lead. The Austrian midfielder’s performance offered a clear reminder of the qualities he brings to Forest’s midfield after arriving on a free transfer from Leipzig.
Schlager has effectively taken Anderson’s place, though he offers a different profile to the £116 million player. Against City, his anticipation, strength and work without the ball proved particularly valuable.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner praised the 29-year-old after the match, saying: “It was a top team performance and it was a top performance by Xaver Schlager.”
Glasner added that Schlager’s display “must have been a fantastic performance” given the quality of City’s midfield. He highlighted the midfielder’s ability to read danger, win challenges and remain composed in possession.
“He is so smart, anticipating and getting balls, one of the most for interceptions in the league,” Glasner said. “And he was physically so strong in his 50-50 balls. He always stayed on his feet and won these balls, because he can then play forward.”
Schlager has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season, despite featuring only as a late substitute in Forest’s opening defeat at home to Leeds. His combative approach has been a consistent feature of his campaign.
He has not been universally embraced by supporters during Forest’s underwhelming start, with new arrivals often facing close scrutiny. Schlager is also not viewed as a signing for the long term, but his career includes spells at Red Bull Salzburg, Wolfsburg and Leipzig.
He first emerged at Liefering, the Red Bull feeder club, where Oscar Garcia handed him his senior debut. Garcia said Schlager had the ability to contribute in several areas of midfield.
“In midfield, he can have the ball, he can make the last pass, he can play with the left, he can play with the right, and he can recover the ball very well when the team is gegenpressing,” Garcia said.
Schlager himself has offered a more understated assessment of his role. “You will not see me too much,” he said in the summer, adding: “I do the dirty things you do not recognise but someone has to do it.”
That work was evident against Manchester City. Schlager was the only outfield player from either side to win possession more times than he lost it in an intense contest, while his 11.92 kilometres covered was the highest figure on the pitch.
His passing has also been more effective than his low-profile style might suggest. Schlager has completed 84.5 per cent of his passes, against an expected completion rate of 77.6 per cent, placing him among the Premier League’s top 20 players for outperforming that measure.
James McAtee has enjoyed his best Premier League form alongside him, while Ryan Yates earned praise after returning to Forest’s starting line-up against City. Schlager’s contribution is less conspicuous, but his display against the champions showed why he has become an important facilitator in Glasner’s side.
