It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. 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 his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory 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
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his boot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “It wasn't that 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 good moments 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 want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
