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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the City Ground as Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those memories. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight win across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

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

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo depicted Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the game long since boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are able of producing of thrills, as well.