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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the ground as Nottingham Forest supporters reveled in another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking refreshed and earning a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the momentum generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant tifo showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and built a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from just inside the box to register his first goal since March.

Second Strike Seals Control

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of former Man City striker Uwe, and an free Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. The manager, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.