While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny the midfielder, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
