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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in a further success against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an event filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, too, his free header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of former Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, 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 evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally scored three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and subsequently brought on teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, too.