It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: 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 area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his work complete. For the visitors, 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 period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, 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 good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
