🔗 Share this article Kalimuendo Strikes as Forest Earn Nostalgic Triumph Against Malmö “You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out through the ground as Forest supporters celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. A great deal has occurred since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Equally, major changes have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League. Building Momentum with Another Straight Victory For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters. It proved to be an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago. The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company were given a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End. Recalling History “30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo depicted Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium. Control from the Outset So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go. It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defence led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to score his maiden strike since last March. Second Goal Confirms Dominance Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post. Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi driven shot was turned wide off Malmö defender Rösler, son of ex- Man City forward Uwe, and an unmarked the defender also previously had a strong header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen. Malmö’s Struggles This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they struggled to match the home team's intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers. The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was that kind of evenings. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the final period. Smooth Evening for the Team It proved a flawless night for Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard 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.