While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then what tends to happen happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, 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 dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while 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 big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 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 level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
