🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy in the year 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from then were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo showed Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Another Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three times, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match already sewn up and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.