🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the City Ground as Forest supporters reveled in another win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's winning header clinched the continental trophy in the year 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display depicted Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in full command 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 Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to register his first goal since March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in Forest’s second goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender 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.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, too.