It’s fair to say that Nottingham Forest produced a breathtaking display on Thursday evening. They followed that up by beating Malmo 3-0 in the Europa League at the City Ground. This win became the turning point for the young club. They found the scoresheet at least three times in three straight matches, something that hasn’t happened since February 2015. Incredibly, this victory was their first as a top-flight side since April 1995.
Arnaud Kalimuendo moved to Nottingham Forest from Rennes for about £25 million. Regularly featured on the right flank around the squad, just before halftime he made headlines by scoring his first goal for the team. His influence has undeniably raised the bar for the club’s ambitions. With impressive displays from his colleagues, they are now hoping to make their way into the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
Kalimuendo Shines in First Goal
Kalimuendo netted his first professional goal in the 44th minute. He took full advantage after Malmo keeper Melker Ellborg parried a header from Ryan Yates. The forward pounced on the rebound, handing Forest a precious advantage late in the half.
“I’m gutted because I should’ve scored my second!” – Arnaud Kalimuendo
His enthusiasm and hunger on the pitch should only be a positive sign of his commitment to the team and their aspirations this season. At just 23 years old, Kalimuendo’s poaching instincts and advanced ability to find space could provide Nottingham Forest with a strong focal point in their attack.
Kalimuendo is sure to have enjoyed a major confidence boost from that important win over Malmo. This win provides much-needed momentum to the whole team as they strive to move upward through the league table. The victory shot Nottingham Forest all the way up to 16th place, just two points from the top eight.
A Solid Team Effort
The matches provided an opportunity for standout Nottingham Forest to showcase a great, new collective experience. Aside from Kalimuendo’s impressive tally, Nikola Milenkovic joined in on the scoring in the 59th minute to help end the rout. Yates was pivotal once again, seeing his volley from a corner fall perfectly for Milenkovic to score his first goal of the season.
Everton manager Sean Dyche lauded his players for their defensive resolve across the pitch.
“Very pleased. I thought defensively we were excellent and they didn’t really lay a glove on us, which was a credit to the back five – the goalkeeper and the back four did a very good job. And it sets the tone for the performance; a bit of a slow start, but they camped in, and that can be hard to break down.” – Sean Dyche
This solid defensive unit enabled Nottingham Forest to dictate the pace of the game and limit Malmo’s chance to score.
It didn’t hurt, either, to have talented teenage defender Zach Abbott in the match, as he earned the first start of his burgeoning pro career. His inclusion in the lineup demonstrates Dyche’s trust in younger players and his strategy of building a strong foundation for future matches.
Historical Context of the Victory
Nottingham Forest’s victory away to Malmo today was just that, reaching the final qualification round before the last 32 of the Europa League. Yet this victory highlights their remarkable pedigree in continental competitions. Out of all these wins, perhaps the biggest one shines the brightest. It was their biggest winning margin in a major European match since March 1979, when they beat Grasshopper Club Zurich 4-1 in the European Cup.
Dyche knows better than anyone the importance of hitting three goals or more in back-to-back games. This is just the second time he’s had that level of success in his managerial career. The latter would be a first—this being as far back as January 2016 during his time at Burnley.
As Nottingham Forest play their next premier league campaign, players like Kalimuendo and Milenkovic will thrive carrying them to success onward. In doing so, they continue to reveal their potential with every match. They’re cementing their place on a squad hellbent on leaving its mark at home and on the European stage.
Leave a Reply