🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the City Ground as Forest followers reveled in a further success against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but the club still hold dear those memories. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking reinvigorated and securing a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from that time were additionally present. Both teams enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a typically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás 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 came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected aside off the back Colin Rösler, the son of former Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header instinctively saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three times, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, too.