Arnaud Kalimuendo Fires as Nottingham Forest Claim Sentimental Win Over Malmö

“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the City Ground as Forest followers celebrated another win against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club continue to cherish those memories. Equally, significant changes have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and earning a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion filled with nostalgia, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a giant banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant tifo showed Brian Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a two-goal advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Second Goal Seals Control

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also earlier had a strong header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the game already sewn up and later introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.