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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Forest followers celebrated a further result against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have occurred in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or jitters.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning tifo showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off the back Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the game long since sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.