It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, 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; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, 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 incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
