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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the City Ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but the club still cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the momentum gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was free of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

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

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Brian Clough watching events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing 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 established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan 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 United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off the defender Colin Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender also previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's energy. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.