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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another win against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's winning header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but the club still treasure those memories. Equally, major changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read half of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a 2-0 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 Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

Yates was involved in Forest’s next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.