While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering 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 Ensure the Win
Courtois understood 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 the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized 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. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar early on, 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 eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the stop compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally 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, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back 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 important 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, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, 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 still positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
