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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in another win against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club continue to cherish those memories. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back 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 maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the club legends providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.