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 home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unfortunate to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then 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 last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, 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 incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform 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 failure, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
