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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team looking reinvigorated and earning a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic success in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was shown in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful 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 wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.