While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s 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 missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, 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 chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play 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 finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time 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 score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
