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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Francis's winning header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be an event filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Forest legends and their teammates received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected wide off the back Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.