It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop 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 driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
