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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the ground as Forest fans reveled in another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

This was an event dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from then were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together prior to the kick-off. Forest legends and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home defender 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 maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned wide off the back Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the match already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.