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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the ground as Forest followers reveled in another win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup in 1979, but the club continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from then were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since last March.

Second Goal Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.