While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped 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 game 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 momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, 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 period out and thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
