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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in a further result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking reinvigorated and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third clash between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected wide off the back Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.