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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out through the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in a further win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the European Cup in the year 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were additionally present. Both teams shared a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo showed 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 showing on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off the back Colin Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.