While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of 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 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
