It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting 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, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final 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 elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level 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 learn from it.”
