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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the stadium as Forest supporters reveled in another win against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned wide off the defender Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot 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 team that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match already boxed off and subsequently brought on 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.