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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated a further result against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic success in name, the game itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an occasion filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates received a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Clough watching events beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned wide off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match Forest’s intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.