🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the City Ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest still treasure those memories. Similarly, significant changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the encounter itself was free of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and their teammates received a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the home stand.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance 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 built a 2-0 lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from just inside the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

Yates was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to tap in the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a seldom start and only his second outing since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off the back Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Smooth Evening for the Team

It proved a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of thrills, too.