While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves 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 visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. 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. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: 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 Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand 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 standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
