🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup in 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those glorious moments. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest leaned into the history, honoring the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from then were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to score his maiden strike since March.

Second Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second outing since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. Forest extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. The manager, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground recently, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game long since sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, too.