It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver 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 got to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. 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 scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception 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 debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
