🔗 Share this article

“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed through the ground as Forest followers celebrated a further success against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still hold dear those memories. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from then were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was shown in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read half of a giant tifo, 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. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second stunning tifo showed Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was deflected aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free the defender had earlier had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned 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 found it hard to match Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since sewn up and later introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, too.