🔗 Share this article

“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the ground as Forest fans celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has happened since Francis's decisive header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive win across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning tifo showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to score his first goal since March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and just his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected aside off the back Colin Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’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. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match long since sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.