It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. 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 reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender 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 believed they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“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 big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
