It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
Little was seen 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 Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, 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 penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still 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.”
