While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result puts 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 reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim 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 want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
