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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the City Ground as Forest supporters celebrated another success against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those memories. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the momentum generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display depicted Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off the defender Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the final period.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently brought on 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of thrills, too.