It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause 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, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
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 shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. 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 caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
