While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
