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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those memories. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was shown in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from just inside the box to score his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

Yates was involved in Forest’s next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic also earlier had a powerful header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic 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 Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match already boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of excitement, too.