While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level 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 learn from it.”
