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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the ground as Forest fans celebrated another win against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the European Cup in 1979, but the club continue to hold dear those memories. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Momentum 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 further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

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

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. 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 Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product captain, 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 right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off Malmö back Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.