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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Forest followers celebrated another win against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still treasure those glorious moments. Equally, major changes have occurred in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo depicted Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of former Man City striker Uwe, and an free the defender also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from distance. It was that kind of evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the match already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.