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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club still treasure those memories. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across all competitions and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the heritage, honoring the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to score his maiden strike since March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of the interval, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned wide off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, too.