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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed around the ground as Forest followers reveled in another win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Another Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning display showed Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Strike Confirms Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had previously had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also netted three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, too.