🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Forest supporters celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those memories. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking refreshed and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the momentum generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

This was an event filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed half of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of former Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a powerful header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they additionally netted three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.