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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another success against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest still treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have occurred in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – represented a third straight win across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup triumph in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

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

Forest leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a large banner, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. Another stunning display showed Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of excitement, too.