🔗 Share this article

“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the ground as Forest followers reveled in another result against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the game itself was free of any real jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be an event filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically impressive display was shown in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed half of a large banner, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display showed Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. 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 first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and just his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off Malmö back Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also scored three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the game already sewn up and later brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.