While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points 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 consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
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 mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber 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.”
