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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally present. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing welcome when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant tifo showed Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to score his first goal since March.

Second Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header smartly saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.