It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his first goal 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,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: 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 Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, 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 thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
