Nottingham Forest’s clash with Malmo might not compare to the glory of 1979, when the Reds lifted the European Cup with a 1-0 win over the same Swedish side.
Yet Wednesday night’s victory carried real weight, sending Forest back on track for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Goals from Ryan Yates, Arnaud Kalimuendo, and Nikola Milenkovic were enough to secure a win that felt both historic and forward-looking.
Legends of the Past Witness the Present
Ahead of kick-off, several veterans from the 1979 European Cup final were invited onto the pitch.
Their presence was a reminder of the club’s illustrious past, and judging by their reactions, at least some were impressed by what they saw.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis is determined to return Forest to the European elite, and winning this competition is the most immediate route to doing so.
Dyche Builds a Core While Giving Opportunities
Manager Sean Dyche is starting to settle on a core group of players, meaning opportunities for fringe players often come in European fixtures.
For James McAtee and Kalimuendo, this match was a chance to make an impression.
Between them, the pair cost the club around £50million, but neither had yet found their rhythm in the team.
Kalimuendo, starting only for the second time, opened his Forest account with a goal, while McAtee was involved in the 44th-minute strike.
Both, however, face stiff competition for Premier League minutes when Dyche rotates his side, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood, and Taiwo Awoniyi returning from injury.
Kalimuendo Scores but Still Faces Challenges
Kalimuendo’s goal, tucked in from a tight angle after Yates’ header was saved, was a fine strike.
The French forward also combined well with Callum Hudson-Odoi and came close to adding more.
Yet, to shine fully in Dyche’s system, he likely needs a more conventional striker alongside him.
With Wood, Awoniyi, and Igor Jesus available for selection, Kalimuendo’s path to regular Premier League starts remains uncertain.
The 23-year-old forward’s potential has not gone unnoticed abroad, with clubs in France, Italy, and Germany keeping tabs.
Forest, though, insist he will stay until January, meaning there’s still time for him to impress Dyche in the Europa League.
McAtee Needs Confidence to Break Through
James McAtee faces a different challenge.
The England Under-21 international has the talent, but he lacks the freedom he might need to flourish.
In Dyche’s preferred setup, Gibbs-White commands the attacking midfield, playing almost every league minute.
McAtee can create moments, such as his assist for the second goal, but he is not yet a central figure in the team.
Dyche values physicality and decisive movement in midfield, which is why McAtee, more of a finesse player, has to wait for his opportunities.
His performance against Malmo was steady but cautious, highlighting the gap between potential and trust at the highest level.
Match Facts and Ratings
Nottingham Forest (4-4-1-1): J Victor 6; Abbott 7, Milenkovic 7, Morato 6, Murillo 7 (Williams 74, 6); Dominguez 6.5 (Ndoye 66, 6), Yates 7, Sangare 7.5 (Anderson 66, 6), Hudson-Odoi 7; McAtee 6.5 (Sinclair 84); Kalimuendo 6.5 (Igor Jesus 66, 6)
Scorers: Yates 28, Kalimuendo 44, Milenkovic 59
Booked: Anderson, Abbott, Yates, Sinclair
Manager: Sean Dyche 7
Referee: Harm Osmers 6
Attendance: 28,941
Looking Ahead
Forest now head into Premier League action knowing that competition for places will be fierce.
McAtee and Kalimuendo’s chances hinge on Europa League performances and Dyche’s rotation policy.
While they both contributed to a memorable European night, translating that form into the league will be their next challenge.
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