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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the ground as Nottingham Forest fans reveled in another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive clash between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a typically superb display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his free header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off the defender Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.