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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the City Ground as Forest followers reveled in another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has occurred since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy in the year 1979, but the club continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display showed Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, too, his free header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö back Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.