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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Forest followers celebrated another win against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have occurred in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. 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. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort off target inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his free header parried by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

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

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.