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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the stadium as Forest supporters reveled in another result against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in name, the game itself was free of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

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

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the game already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are able of producing of thrills, as well.