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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still cherish those glorious moments. Equally, significant shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was free 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.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his first goal since March.

Another Strike Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those evenings. The manager, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.