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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still cherish those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

This was an event dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display depicted Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to score his first goal since March.

Second Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, son of ex- Man City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also netted three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the game already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of excitement, as well.