While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After 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 closing stages; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied 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 the attacking midfielder.
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 exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked 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, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
