It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading 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 flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well 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 failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know 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 still good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
