🔗 Share this article

“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed through the ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but the club still cherish those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the momentum gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to the club as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence captained by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Strike Seals Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was deflected wide off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also earlier had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of producing of excitement, as well.