It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly 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 headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, 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 back post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward 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 risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.
“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, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
