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 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 netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
