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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or jitters.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. Both teams shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to register his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off the back Rösler, the son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.