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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed around the City Ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a convincing victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest 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 then were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning tifo depicted Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of ex- Man City forward Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

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

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match long since sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.