While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment 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 hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up his teammate to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“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 major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
