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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has happened since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Equally, major changes have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

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

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 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 company received a rousing reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display showed Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Strike Seals Control

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom 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 low effort was turned aside off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the game already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.