While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him 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. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and set up his teammate to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio 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. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, 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: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 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 still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
