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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the ground as Forest supporters celebrated another success against Malmö. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team looking refreshed and earning a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their home competition – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

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

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo depicted Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

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

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of producing of thrills, as well.