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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the City Ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those memories. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

This was an event filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb display was shown in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough watching events beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense captained by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin 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 energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free night for Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the game already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.