While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. 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 Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, returning 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 play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
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 worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
