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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the City Ground as Forest supporters reveled in another result against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the European Cup in the year 1979, but the club continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

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

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read half of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. 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 Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off the back Rösler, son of ex- Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.