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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the ground as Forest fans reveled in another result against Malmö. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s historic triumph in spirit, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from then were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from just inside the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

The scorer was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was deflected wide off Malmö back Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.