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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight win across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in name, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from then were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display depicted Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

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

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.