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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Forest supporters celebrated a further win against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive win across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were also in attendance. Both teams shared a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected wide off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of ex- Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender had earlier had a powerful header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also scored three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of producing of thrills, too.