While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive 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. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think 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 nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
