While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, 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 important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. 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.”
