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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest fans reveled in another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup in 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 comfortable win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally present. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read half of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage 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 joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off the back Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free the defender had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they struggled to equal the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the match long since boxed off and subsequently brought on teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.