It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, 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 period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. 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.”
