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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed through the ground as Forest fans celebrated another result against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team looking reinvigorated and earning a convincing win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Forest legends and their teammates were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part 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 continued. Another brilliant tifo showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the evening? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Second Strike Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his unmarked header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are able of producing of thrills, too.