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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Forest fans reveled in a further result against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking refreshed and securing a comfortable win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. Both teams shared a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense captained by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header smartly saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded 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 centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.