It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
