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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the game long since boxed off and later brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.