It may not have been a match for the ages, 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 outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
