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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

This was an event filled with nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an attempt wide inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The home defender 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 penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off the back Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a powerful header smartly saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was that kind of nights. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the final period.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the match long since sewn up and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of producing of excitement, as well.