While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender running and the striker combining, firing off a dozen attempts 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 somewhat unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, 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 one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip 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 a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the start 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 ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny the midfielder, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, 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, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling 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 debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
