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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the ground as Forest followers celebrated a further result against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those memories. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing reception when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Strike Confirms Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off Malmö back Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also netted three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.