While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
