While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, 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 good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
