It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition 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; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role 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. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
