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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the City Ground as Forest followers reveled in a further win against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking refreshed and earning a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the momentum gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from then were also present. Both teams shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read half of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough watching events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off the back Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.