While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, 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 finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception 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 aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
