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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club continue to treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.