It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated 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 the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn 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 came to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his job 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 period out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well 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 disaster, 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 still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
