Manchester United loanee came off the bench to help PSV Eindhoven dump Juventus out of the Champions League and advance to the next stage of the competition, where they will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal.
Defender Ryan Flamingo netted an extra-time winner, sealing a 3-1 home victory for PSV in the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff against Juventus, completing a dramatic comeback from a first-leg deficit.
With the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate after regular time, extra time was needed to break the deadlock and Flamingo struck in the 98th minute, securing PSV’s place in the next round.
Juventus entered the second leg with a 2-1 advantage, but PSV erased the deficit courtesy of Ivan Perisic, who found the back of the net eight minutes after the break.
The Serie A outfit restored their lead 10 minutes later through Timothy Weah but Ismael Saibari’s close-range finish in the 74th minute made it 2-1, levelling the aggregate scoreline and setting up a blockbuster finish.
Flamingo was the hero of the night, with his decisive goal proving the difference between the two sides.
Malacia was named on the bench by Peter Bosz, who gave the nod to Mauro Junior and Richard Ledezma to start in the full-back positions.
The United loanee entered the fray in the 78th minute as Ledezma came off. Playing through the final 12 minutes of regular time and the entirety of extra time, Malacia’s contributions proved crucial in helping PSV cross the finish line.
The Netherlands international made one clearance and twice as many tackles during the 42 minutes he was on the pitch.
He won two of the ground duels he delved into. Malacia touched the ball 25 times and managed to find his teammates with 13 of the 17 passes he attempted. One of his passes was a key pass.
The 25-year-old successfully connected with two of the four crosses he aimed.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Malacia and his teammates are back in action on Wednesday when they face Go Ahead Eagles in the semi-final of the KNVB Cup.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
