It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
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 far post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I aim 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 intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
