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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters reveled in another success against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and their teammates received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a typically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defence led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

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

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the defender Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game 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 scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game already boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.