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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the City Ground as Forest fans reveled in a further win against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest still cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic success in name, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected wide off the back Rösler, the son of former Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had previously had a strong header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was that kind of evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match already boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of thrills, too.