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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Forest supporters celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but the club still treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking refreshed and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across all competitions and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. Both teams shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large banner, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed 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.