While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually 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 Victory
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, 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.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the final seconds 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 match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that 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 still positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
