While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football 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 got to a goal. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper 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.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial 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 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
