While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely 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 deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
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 opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
