While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves 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 Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward a little unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I want 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 learn from it.”
