While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
