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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the ground as Forest followers celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking refreshed and earning a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting 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 visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display showed Clough watching events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to register his first goal since last March.

Second Goal Seals Control

Yates was involved in Forest’s next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match long since sewn up and later brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.