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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another success against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from then were also present. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off Malmö back Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia 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 crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.