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 wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one 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 Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, 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 Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from 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 the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back 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 crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
