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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in name, the game itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be 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 heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown 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 nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning display showed Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to register his first goal since last March.

Second Goal Seals Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off the back Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.