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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the ground as Forest followers celebrated a further result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs shared a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a large banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defence led by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second outing since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they additionally netted three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.