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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those memories. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and earning a convincing victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

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

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, 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. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, 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 during the final period.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the match already sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of excitement, too.