While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing 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 Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and the striker linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation 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 sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level 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.”
