UEFA Technical Observer Mixu Paatelainen lauded Moise Kean after the former Everton striker scored the only goal as Juventus beat Malmo, while speaking with UEFA.com.
The Bianconeri welcomed Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side to the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday knowing they had to win the Champions League tie to overtake Chelsea and top Group H.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues beat Juventus 4-0 when they met at Stamford Bridge last month for the bragging rights. Chelsea lost the reverse tie 1-0, so held the advantage for a tie breaker.
Kean ensured Juventus did their part by heading home the only goal of the night against Malmo on 18-minutes. Federico Bernardeschi found the Italian with a superb delivery from the right-wing with the outside of his boot, for only the forward’s third goal of the season.
But Juventus still needed results elsewhere in their favour to finish above Chelsea, despite beating Malmo. And Zenit St Petersburg obliged with a 94th-minute equaliser to draw 3-3.
Juventus will now enter Monday’s last 16 draw as the seeded side, while Chelsea enter as Group H runners-up. Just two points separated the two sides after six group stage games.
Kean shows Everton what they let go this summer in Juventus win over Malmo
Kean’s goal to see Juventus beat Malmo also served as a reminder of what Everton let go this summer. The 21-year-old left Goodison Park to re-join the Turin giants on a two-year loan deal in August, which carries a £24m obligation to buy including £2.5m in add-ons.
Everton let Kean return to Juventus only two-years after buying the forward from them for an initial £25m. The Toffees’ deal could have risen to £27.5m with bonuses, but he failed to meet the heights the Merseyside outfit expected of the then 19-year-old rising star.
Kean scored four goals in 37 games for Everton across all competitions before joining Paris Saint-Germain on loan last season. He also failed to find the net in two Toffees outings this term before re-joining the Bianconeri, despite scoring 17 times over 41 games with PSG.
Massimiliano Allegri has since awarded Kean minutes in 15 of Juventus’ fixtures after facing Malmo. His goal was his third for the Serie A side so far this season and first since October.
Yet Kean impressed former Finland manager and UEFA Technical Observer Paatelainen with the Juventus and former Everton striker’s all-round performance.
“Moise Kean scored the winning goal with a well-timed run and header,” Paatelainen said. “He was dangerous throughout the match with attempts on goal and also created chances for his teammates with good link-up play.”
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