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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the stadium as Forest followers reveled in a further success against Malmö. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest still treasure those memories. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

This was an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display depicted Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected wide off the back Colin Rösler, son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the team that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game long since boxed off 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 weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.