It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder'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 passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, 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 unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. 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 level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
