It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, 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 while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
