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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out through the stadium as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third consecutive win across all competitions and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display showed Clough watching events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe, and an free the defender also earlier had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.