While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. 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 wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding 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 still good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
