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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has transpired since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Clough observing events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö defender Rösler, son of former Man City striker Uwe, and an free the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.