🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Forest followers reveled in a further success against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup in 1979, but the club continue to cherish those memories. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion filled with sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the heritage, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to register his maiden strike since 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 parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned wide off Malmö back Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.