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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest still cherish those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. Both teams shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning tifo depicted Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. 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 came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that surprised the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the match long since boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.