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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was free of any significant tension or jitters.

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

The home side leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display depicted Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected wide off Malmö back Rösler, the son of former Manchester City striker Uwe, and an free Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.