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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the ground as Forest supporters reveled in another success against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from then were additionally present. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning tifo showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest 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 penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Strike Seals Control

Yates was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender had previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston 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 made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.