While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final 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, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial 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, still 15 goals, 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 nonetheless good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
