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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the City Ground as Forest followers celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight win across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a large tifo, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The home defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was involved in the team's second goal on the verge of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected wide off Malmö defender Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match already boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.