It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, 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.
Decisive Stops Ensure 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. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, 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 wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the middle to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper 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 incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I want 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 intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
