While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive 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 plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know 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 good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
