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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the stadium as Forest fans reveled in a further success against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Another Straight Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight win across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from the previous week's success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

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

Forest leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough watching events beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to score his maiden strike since March.

Another Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

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

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they found it hard to equal the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match already boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.