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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed through the ground as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated another win against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those memories. Similarly, major changes have occurred in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or nerves.

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

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour 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,” read half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense captained by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Strike Seals Control

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had previously had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.