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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed through the ground as Forest supporters reveled in a further success against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those memories. Equally, major changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an event dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter 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 night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

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

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, 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 nights. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also scored three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the game already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.