While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unfortunate to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit 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 half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop the midfielder, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
