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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the ground as Forest followers celebrated a further result against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those memories. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates received a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read half of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second stunning tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his first goal since March.

Another Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the team that surprised the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match already boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of excitement, too.