“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the stadium as Forest fans celebrated a further success against Malmö. Much has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.
Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Win
For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or nerves.
It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.
The home side fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were additionally present. Both teams shared a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was shown in the home stand.
Remembering the Past
“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.
Dominance from the Start
So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.
It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished right-footed from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.
Second Goal Confirms Dominance
The scorer was involved in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.
A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned aside off the back Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free the defender had earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.
Malmö’s Struggles
This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.
Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the team that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also netted three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus during the final period.
Hiccup-Free Night for Forest
It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.
