It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
