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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph 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 triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company received a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his maiden strike since March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, made seven changes from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they additionally scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game already boxed off and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.