🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the ground as Forest fans reveled in another result against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still cherish those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant display showed Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had previously had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard 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. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger 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, implemented seven changes from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and later introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.