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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the stadium as Forest followers reveled in a further result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup in the year 1979, but the club continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a large banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Clough watching events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, 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 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned wide off Malmö back Rösler, the son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three times, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.