It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities 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 hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. 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 got to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know 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 still good moments but not the standard 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 system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
