While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game 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 unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the perception 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 standard I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
