It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football 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.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the stop compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: 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 area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, 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 good moments but not the standard 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 system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
