While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering 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.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season 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 instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
