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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the ground as Forest followers reveled in another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the continental trophy in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Similarly, major shifts have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

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

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display depicted Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in 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 off target inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the box to register his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender also earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side'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 Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.