🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Forest fans celebrated another win against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Francis's winning header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those memories. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from then were also present. Both teams shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead 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 came to the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Strike Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off the back Rösler, son of ex- Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground recently, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the game long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of excitement, as well.