🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the stadium as Forest followers reveled in another result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in name, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s team from then were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning display depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Peter 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 strong, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. 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 the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since March.

Second Strike Confirms Control

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later brought on teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.